Stroke in the Elderly

Stroke recovery can be especially daunting for family caregivers and can cause high levels of emotional and physical stress for both the stroke survivor and their caregiver. Use these expert care tips during the recovery and rehabilitation process.

A mini stroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), can seem like a minor incident at first, but the long-term effects of TIAs can be very serious for people of all ages.

During a hemorrhagic stroke, an artery in the brain bursts, blood spews out into the surrounding tissue.

The most common kind of stroke, an ischemic stroke occurs when an artery supplying the brain with blood becomes blocked.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke sponsors a wide range of research aimed at finding ways to prevent, diagnose and treat strokes in the elderly.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. Learning the risk factors for stroke and early warning signs to look for can help you act quickly to prevent permanent disability and even death.

Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s. It is caused by brain damage from a cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event—usually stroke—and results in various symptoms depending on the area of the brain affected.

Adding this one simple step when creating or changing a will, powers of attorney and other crucial legal documents can prevent unnecessary stress, legal problems and familial discord down the road.

When a senior is having trouble swallowing, known as dysphagia, doctors recommend thickening meals and drinks to avoid choking and aspiration. Use these tips to address dehydration and malnutrition issues in people who have a swallowing disorder.

Some seniors may lose the ability to communicate following a stroke or due to the progression of a neurological disease. Fortunately, a variety of tools and techniques are available to facilitate communication with a loved one who has a speech disorder.

When a senior must go to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation after a hospital stay, it’s important for family members to understand this care transition, the new care plan and the rehab facility’s discharge criteria.

What a terrible condition dementia is. It takes the brain of a bright, loving, proud, communicative individual and turns it into a fog of progressive cognitive decline.

For elderly people, influenza can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, exacerbate existing chronic medical conditions and even cause death. Vaccinations are a senior’s best defense against the flu and related complications.

Blood clots can lead to stroke, heart attack, and other chronic heart conditions. Keeping an eye out for these symptoms can help to protect your loved one's health.

It is frightening to watch an aging loved one lose their ability to talk, respond or communicate in any manner, but the powers of touch and hearing can help family caregivers continue to connect with seniors who have aphasia.

Snoring is annoying, but it can also indicate a dangerous underlying problem: obstructive sleep apnea. More common among older adults, sleep apnea is associated with serious health risks like chronic fatigue, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

The uncontrollable shaking and tremors associated with Parkinson's disease are also present in several other senior health conditions.

Multi-infarct dementia is a type of vascular dementia caused by numerous small strokes in the brain. The damage to brain tissue significantly impairs an elder's memory.

Most women don’t know that the signs of stroke can be gender specific. This lack of knowledge can lead to dangerous delays in treatment that can reduce an individual's chances for a full recovery.