The younger sister of a friend of ours in Kentucky suffered a stroke in the wee hours of the morning two days before Thanksgiving. She had gotten up during the night and her right leg lost feeling. She collapsed, clearing everything from the vanity in the master bathroom. Thankfully, her husband heard the commotion and quickly came to her aid. It was obvious that something was seriously wrong, so he rushed her to the local hospital where they transferred her to a specialty unit in Louisville, KY.
She had suffered a stroke and her husband knew to BE FAST which ultimately resulted in his wife’s survival and a much more positive outcome for the 49-year-old woman. She still has neurological damage, but she knows she is very lucky because the damage is minimal compared to what it could be.
A stroke is a disease that affects the blood vessels that lead to the brain and those that are contained within the brain. A stroke occurs when the arteries and blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain become blocked due to a clot, or they rupture. If this happens, the part of the brain that is affected does not receive the oxygen it needs causing the death of brain cells.
A stroke usually strikes without warning, so be aware of the signs and symptoms so you can BE FAST in the event this happens to you or a loved one. Signs and symptoms of stroke are:
- Numbness (on one side of the body, or both)
- Confusion (noticeable when communicating with them)
- Trouble seeing (one or both eyes)
- Trouble walking (loss of balance and/or coordination)
- Severe Headache (with no known cause)
The BE FAST acronym is an easy way to detect the warning signs as defined by the American Stroke Association. If you notice any of these, please BE FAST to minimize the loss of brain cells and more serious complications of stroke.
- B is for Balance – Does the person have a sudden loss of balance?
- E is for Eye – Is the person experiencing a loss of vision in one or both eyes?
- F is for Face – Does the person’s face appear uneven or droopy?
- A is for Arm – Is one arm drooping?
- S is for Speech – Is the person’s speech slurred or are they having trouble speaking?
- T is for Time - TIME TO CALL 911!
Never hesitate to call 911 if you notice any of these signs of stroke. BE FAST!!
In Stark County, there are two hospitals certified by the Joint Commission:
Aultman Hospital –2600 Sixth Street SW, Canton, OH 44710
Cleveland Clinic - Mercy Medical Center – 1320 Mercy Drive, Canton, OH 44708
In Summit County, there are two hospitals certified in stroke care by the Joint Commission:
Cleveland Clinic: Akron General Medical Center – 1 Akron General Avenue, Akron, OH 44307
Summa Health System: Akron City Campus – 141 N Forge Street, Akron, OH 44304
Additionally, there is one hospital in Summit County certified in stroke care by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program:
Western Reserve Hospital – 1900 23rd Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and we want you to be aware that Home Helpers® employs compassionate caregivers who are available 24/7/365 to assist you or a loved one who has been impacted by a stroke, by providing specialized care services in the form of stroke recovery support. I am happy to schedule a FREE consultation at your convenience to assess specific needs and determine ways we can help in Making Life Easier™ for you and your family. 330.892.9329
Home Helpers® Canton, OH, is Veteran-owned and operated. We are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award, the Shooting Star Award (2011), and multiple Platinum awards for the superior level of care we provide. We are Certified Senior Advisors and members of the Home Care Association of America, Alzheimer’s Association, International Franchise Association, and we were ranked in the Top 500 Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2019.
Home Helpers® Canton proudly serves male and female seniors in Stark County, Portage County, and portions of Summit County including the communities of Akron, Alliance, Canton, East Sparta, Hartville, Jackson, Massillon, Navarre, North Canton, Randolph, and surrounding areas.
Sources:
American Stroke Association
Summa Health System
