How to Recognize the Signs of a Stroke

For seniors enjoying independent living, it’s especially important to know the signs of and appropriate responses to strokes. After all, when a stroke is occurring, it must immediately be treated. There are steps that a senior can take to help themselves while calling for aid.

What Are the Signs of a Stroke?

A stroke means that there is compromised or inadequate blood flow through the brain, so the signs will point to its malfunction. It’s helpful to remember the acronym F.A.S.T. This is because the symptoms will manifest in the face, arms, speech patterns, and the time while summoning an ambulance. 

More specifically, one side of the face will droop when attempting to smile. Only one arm will have the strength to be held up. Numbness will pervade both the face and arm, especially on one side of the body. Speech will be slurred, and the victim may have difficulty understanding anything said to them. There may also be dizziness, partial loss of eyesight or double vision, lack of coordination and balance while walking, and a sharp headache. Nausea, stiff muscles, and paralysis are possible as well. Most of these symptoms can be tested by oneself in independent living, so if you notice them happening to you, call 911 and a caregiver.

What Actions Should Be Taken for a Stroke?

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Besides calling 911 and noting the time that the symptoms began so that medical personnel can more effectively treat the phenomenon when they get there, keep the victim awake. Strokes can make a person feel powerfully sleepy, but if they fall asleep, they can’t be treated in a timely manner, increasing the likelihood that there will be permanent brain damage. 

Turn the victim on their side, the head slightly elevated, and loosen any tight or restrictive clothing items. Don’t give them any food or medicine until doctors can determine what type of stroke has occurred. If necessary, perform CPR. 

If you’re the victim and have already contacted 911 or an independent living aide, lay on your side with your head on a pillow or another item that will keep it raised. Do your best to stay awake. Focus on staying calm until help arrives.

Why Seniors Should Read More Books

For many people, escaping into a good book is one of life’s greatest pleasures. As it turns out, reading does a lot more than just help people relax. For older adults in particular, reading has significant benefits to the brain, cognition, and overall health, and anyone committed to active senior living should include reading in their daily activities. 

What Are the Benefits of Reading?

In a recent study at Yale University, researchers found that people who read books regularly live an average of two years longer than those who don’t. Although the specific reasons for this increased longevity aren’t yet understood, evidence suggests that reading helps preserve the brain, which may contribute to a longer life span. Research indicates that people who read regularly also have fewer physical signs of dementia, such as brain lesions and tangles, as well as less mental decline as they age. This could be because reading increases blood flow to different parts of the brain. In any case, including reading as part of an active senior living lifestyle can help preserve memory, increase mental function, reduce stress, and improve sleep. 

eading isn’t only good for your brain, but it helps your social life as well. Many senior living communities offer book groups, book swaps, or trips to the library as part of their programming for the simple reason that reading can be a social activity and enrich people’s lives. A study found that belonging to social groups like a book club actually helps people live longer and healthier lives after retirement because they decrease the isolation associated with declines in cognitive function and memory. Getting together with others to talk about a book allows older adults to interact with people and gain new perspectives, while also building friendships. 

How Do You Make Reading Easier for Seniors?

Some older people stop reading as much as they age because their eyesight declines. Most libraries and senior living communities offer large-print books, but using e-readers or tablets can also help. Electronic devices allow users to adjust the setting to make the font larger, making it easier to read, as well as change background colors to increase contrast. If you have a loved one who has trouble reading, audiobooks and reading out loud during a visit can still be beneficial and help them live longer, more fulfilled lives. 

Do’s & Don’ts of Caring for a Widowed Parent

Losing a parent is never easy; it’s often accompanied by complex emotions and major life changes. In addition to your own grieving, you may start to feel concerned about your newly widowed mother or father. Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts on how to care for a parent who has lost a spouse and might need to move to an independent living community or assisted living options.

Do’s:

Allow Time for Grief

  1. Allow your parent plenty of time to grieve. Encourage them to talk about their loss with friends, family, or a counselor. Grief is a process, not an event.

Plan Engaging Activities

  1. Plan events and activities that you and your parent can look forward to. This can help combat feelings of loneliness, boredom, and helplessness. Suggest social activities, volunteer opportunities, or classes that may interest them.

Offer Practical Assistance

  1. Offer tangible assistance with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, yard work, or running errands. These small gestures can make a big difference when your parent is overwhelmed with grief.

Share Your Grief

  1. Talk about your own feelings of grief and share memories of the deceased. This can help your parent feel less alone in their grief.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

  1. Ask specific questions about how your parent is coping with the loss, rather than just asking “How are you?” This shows you genuinely care about their wellbeing.

Honor Meaningful Occasions

  1. Plan ahead for holidays and anniversaries, and suggest ways to honor the deceased. This can provide comfort and a sense of meaning.

Explore Independent Living

  1. Look into independent living options that provide a smaller, more manageable living space, affordable costs, community resources, and opportunities for social interaction. This can help ease the transition after the loss of a spouse.

Don’ts:

Don’t Rush the Grieving Process

  1. Don’t try to “fix” your parent’s grief or rush them through the grieving process. Grief takes time and each person’s journey is unique.

Don’t Take Over Responsibilities

  1. Avoid taking over all tasks and responsibilities. Encourage your parent to maintain a sense of independence and control where possible.

Don’t Avoid Mentioning the Deceased

  1. Don’t avoid mentioning the deceased or using their name. This can make your parent feel like their loved one is being forgotten.

Don’t Neglect Your Own Needs

  1. Don’t neglect your own self-care and support needs. Caring for a grieving parent can be emotionally draining, so make sure to seek help when needed.

The most important things are to be patient, listen without judgment, and find ways to support your parent through this difficult transition. With time and compassion, you can help them through the grieving process.

Reducing Conflict Between Adult Siblings Over Senior Care

As your parents get older, maintaining their independent living takes effort from all their family members — including you and your siblings. This can be stressful and cause problems between siblings, especially if one of you thinks the other is not pulling their weight. To minimize conflict, have a plan in place for open communication. The following is a guide to communication around planning and maintaining senior independent living.

Identifying Potential Conflicts About Senior Independent Living

There are a few areas where friction is most likely. One of them is your parents’ finances. Money is a touchy topic at the best of times. Also, the day-to-day needs of your parents can become overwhelming if one person is handling more responsibility than the others. The combination of daily chores, cooking, personal care, transportation, medication management, and medical appointments is a lot to take on. If it’s not divided in a way that makes sense to everyone involved, strife can build up along with fatigue and burnout.

How to Diffuse Conflicts Over Senior Care

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First, keep in mind that both your parents’ situation and your circumstances will change over time. You shouldn’t expect to find one permanent solution for everything; instead, agree with your siblings that you’ll revisit the arrangements regularly and as-needed. Next, be as transparent as possible with each other about what you’re doing — especially when it comes to spending money on your parents’ behalf. Finally, remember that not all of these tasks have to be assigned to one sibling or another. Assisted living, independent living programs, and senior apartments all provide care for loved ones when the load is too big for your family. You can also seek temporary respite care for a break from these duties when it’s needed.