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Understanding
Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
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Understanding Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
A stroke is also known as a “brain attack” because it occurs
when blood flow to the brain is blocked by narrowed blood
vessels or blood clots, or when there is bleeding into the brain.
When this happens, the affected parts of the brain are deprived
of vital nutrients and brain nerve cells begin to die almost
immediately. That’s why individuals may experience a loss
of vision, impaired sensory perception, problems with walking
and talking, or even difficulty thinking clearly following a stroke.
How Serious is It?
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, second only to heart disease
and all forms of cancer. Even more frightening, stroke ranks first as America’s leading cause
of serious long-term disability.
That is why it is so important to:
• Understand and minimize the risk factors
• Recognize the symptoms
• Get immediate treatment
• Learn about the available long-term care options
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Understanding Stroke | 2
Understanding Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
Who is at Risk?
Some people are at a greater risk for having a stroke than others. Age, gender and race
can all affect your chances of having a stroke. (In fact, those at greatest risk are male,
African American seniors.) In addition, the following risk factors are critical:
High blood pressure (hypertension) - This is the leading risk factor for stroke. The only
way to know if you have high blood pressure is by visiting your doctor or another qualified
healthcare professional to get your blood pressure checked. If your blood pressure is too
high, it is vital to work closely with your doctor to determine a course of treatment to lower it.
Cigarette smoking - Smokers are at risk for developing strokes in several ways. First, cigarette
smoking has been linked to the buildup of fatty substances in one of the major arteries leading to
the brain, a condition that can initiate a stroke. Cigarette smoking also contributes to high blood
pressure, a reduction of oxygen carried to the brain and thickening of the blood, which makes it
more likely to form clots.
Heart disease - Common heart disorders such as irregular heartbeat, valve defects and
enlargement of one of the heart’s chambers can result in blood clots that may break loose
and block vessels leading to the brain. If you or someone you love has a heart condition,
be sure to work closely with a doctor who can determine the best course of treatment for
the condition.
Diabetes - Diabetes affects glucose levels in the body and can also cause destructive changes
in blood vessels including those of the brain. Effective diabetes management is essential to
avoiding such potentially devastating side
effects as reduced circulation and stroke.
History of stroke - Anyone who has a
history of stroke in their family or in their
own personal medical history is at risk.
All contributing health conditions should be
carefully monitored by a doctor to prevent
the onset of a life threatening incident.
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Understanding Stroke | 3
Understanding Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
What are the Warning Signs of a Stroke?
A warning sign of stroke is an indication that a part of the brain may not be receiving
enough oxygen. Anyone observing any of the following symptoms should seek immediate
medical attention:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially concentrated
on one side of the body
• Sudden trouble seeing from one or both eyes
• Sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden, severe headaches unlike any you have had before
• Sudden difficulty in walking, involving dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Other warning signs may include double vision, drowsiness, nausea or vomiting. These brief
episodes are known as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs, and they are often referred to as
“mini-strokes.” Although these episodes may last only a few minutes and then go away, it is
important to take them seriously and seek immediate medical attention.
Weight matters…
Obesity can shorten your life
and is a factor in many serious
diseases, including stroke.
Simply put, the heavier you are,
the greater your risk of having
a stroke. So, maintain proper
weight and put the odds in
your favor.
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Understanding Stroke | 4
Understanding Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
What Happens After a Stroke?
Stroke affects people in many different ways depending upon what parts of the brain have
been affected. If you are caring for someone who has suffered a stroke, it is important to
be prepared for a number of physical and behavioral changes.
Physical symptoms - Stroke often causes people to lose mobility and feeling in an arm or leg.
They may also suffer from a reduction in sight on one side. Consequently, a stroke survivor
may feel off balance, “neglect” the weaker side and have trouble functioning as they once did.
Perception - Stroke can affect a person’s ability to see, feel and even think. When this happens,
a person’s perception of everyday objects can change. They may find it difficult to recognize
familiar objects as they did before. This may cause them to run into things more frequently
and have more spills at the table.
Hearing - Although a stroke does
not cause hearing loss, damage to
the part of the brain controlling language
interpretation can make it difficult for
stroke survivors to understand speech
in the same way as they had previously.
Speech - Stroke can also significantly
affect a person’s ability to speak. A stroke
that affects the motor areas of the brain
can affect the muscles used in talking,
resulting in slower, slurred or distorted
speech. A stroke in the language centers,
on the other hand, may prevent a person
from being able to translate their thoughts
into the correct words.
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Understanding Stroke | 5
Understanding Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
Eating - When one side of the mouth is weak, it can cause problems
with chewing and swallowing, increasing the risk for choking.
Thinking - A stroke can affect a person’s ability to think through
everyday tasks clearly. There may be confusion about how to begin
a task or the logical sequence of events involved in performing
the task.
Emotions - An individual who has suffered a stroke may experience
sudden mood swings that can include sudden crying or laughing
for no apparent reason. He or she may also suffer from bouts of
depression as a result of being disabled.
Clearly, a stroke can be severely disabling, not just physically, but also mentally, behaviorally
and emotionally. Everyday tasks can suddenly be impossible to handle, and the inability to
communicate or interact with the outside world can be a frustrating experience. Because
it can be debilitating on so many levels, stroke survivors must be treated with patience
and compassion.
Mini-stroke,
major concern…
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke
last only a few minutes and then go
away. Such an event could be a TIA
(transient ischemic attack), also
called a mini-stroke. TIA is no small
matter, it is a medical emergency,
which if not treated quickly could
be followed within hours by a major
disabling stroke.
Senior Services Group | www.opismr.com
Understanding Stroke | 6
Understanding Stroke
A Leading Cause of Death and
Long-Term Disability for Seniors
What Treatment Options are Available
for Stroke Survivors?
Depending on the level of need, there are a number of care options available for stroke
survivors. Each offers a coordinated team of professionals which includes skilled nurses,
therapists, dieticians and social workers — all working with the patient’s doctor to ensure
the highest level of care. Most of these programs are available right in your neighborhood, and many accept Medicaid.
1. Post-Acute, Rehab & Nursing Centers - These facilities offer patients both short-term
and long-term rehabilitation, 24-hour skilled nursing supervision and help with daily living
activities. Many of these facilities have physical, occupational and speech therapists on-site
to provide a full range of rehabilitative care for the stroke survivor.
2. Long-Term Home Health Care - These programs provide a complete team of healthcare professionals who come directly into the home to provide rehabilitative care in
accordance with a treatment plan prescribed by a managing physician.
Reduce the risk
of another stroke…
Be sure to follow your
healthcare team’s instructions
throughout the recovery
process and to always
take your medications
as prescribed.
Senior Services Group | www.opismr.com
Understanding Stroke | 7
We’re Here to Help!
For additional information or
to learn more about our services,
please visit www.opismr.com
Founded in 2003, today Opis ranks among the state’s leading providers
of senior services. Our skilled nursing centers, assisted living center,
comprehensive rehabilitation, physicians, advanced registered nurse
practitioners and other community-based programs serve seniors and
families throughout Florida.
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