The most common stroke symptoms are shared among men and women, but women also experience a range of less common symptoms. Knowing what to look for can help you take quick action if your senior loved one has a stroke.
Paralysis & Muscle Weakness
Strokes usually affect muscle function on one side of the body and cause weakness, stiffness, paralysis, and reduced coordination. Paralysis occurs in both men and women, but it’s slightly more common among men. Paralysis can affect the entire left or right side of the body, and it may be difficult to detect following a minor stroke. For instance, when facial muscles are paralyzed, your loved one may exhibit subtle symptoms like a drooping eyelid or a lopsided smile. Seniors who have experienced paralysis, strokes, or other health conditions may need assistance with daily tasks. The type of home care service seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.Other Common Stroke Symptoms
Both men and women can experience vision changes, difficulty speaking, confusion, and coordination issues during and after a stroke. Your loved one may not be able to speak or have difficulty answering simple questions. Other signs of stroke include difficulty walking, an inability to perform normal daily tasks, and sudden disorientation. Other changes may be sudden but difficult to detect. For instance, your loved one may take a little longer to answer questions or suddenly seem clumsier than usual. Senior men experience difficulty walking and sudden changes in vision, while women’s symptoms can be more subtle and difficult to correctly diagnose.Women’s Stroke Symptoms
Women often have subtler stroke symptoms than men, such as hallucinations, fatigue, headache, and confusion. Other signs of stroke in women include the following:- Hiccups
- Difficulty breathing
- Fainting
- Agitation
- Seizures