Chapel Hill Elder Care: The Effects of a Stroke on Memory

By: Todd Palmer

Chapel Hill Elder Care: A stroke can have a long list of effects on a senior, one of which is memory loss. John from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has recently assisted his mother with settling back into her home after recovering from a minor stroke. Although she has been able to return to her independent lifestyle thanks to the daily assistance of a home care provider, his mother suffers from a bit of memory loss due to her stroke. John set out to research the ways in which this memory loss developed and how it impacts his mother's cognitive capabilities. Here are some of the important facts that he discovered during the process:[1]

• Because a stroke cuts off blood supply to the brain, the lasting effects that this event has on a senior varies based upon the part of the brain that is affected. Memory loss is more common in individuals who have suffered a stroke that has impacted the right hemisphere of this organ.
• In addition to memory loss, strokes in the right hemisphere can also cause an elderly individual to have difficulty focusing on a task, conversation, or other object.
• Verbal memory, including the names of individuals, information pertaining to language, and stories, is often disrupted by a stroke.
• Visual memory, too, can be impaired by a stroke. This type of memory includes directions, shapes, the faces of friends and family members, and other information that is visually collected.
• Informational memory, or the memory regarding information and skills, is also frequently impacted by a stroke. This type of memory loss can make it difficult for seniors to learn new things.
• Vascular dementia is commonly associated with stroke. This form of memory loss entails a more general decline in cognitive abilities.
• The symptoms of memory loss vary from one senior to the next; however, the most common signs that memory impairment has taken place include loss of short-term memory, confusion, wandering, and trouble following directions.

John knows that helping your senior cope with a stroke and its subsequent effects can be extremely difficult. But by understanding these basic facts about memory loss you can better care for your loved one as they recover from their experience.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

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[1] http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=memory

Dementia Care Chapel Hill: Redirecting an Individual with Memory Loss

By Todd Palmer
Dementia Care Chapel Hill - Memory loss is something that naturally occurs as people age. Whether your senior has the mild memory loss that stems from the aging process or is afflicted with dementia, the inability to remember certain events or details can be extremely frustrating. As such, it is important that you, as your senior's caregiver, are able to recognize when your elderly loved one is involved in a confrontation due to their memory loss. The home care professionals of Always Best Care in Durham, North Carolina, have provided the following tips to assist you in reducing the stress of the situation and helping to alleviate the anger involved in this particular circumstance.

1. Make an effort to remove your senior from the situation. If they are engaged in a confrontation with you, concede the argument and walk away; if they are fighting with another person, discretely let the individual know that memory loss is causing the confrontation and encourage them to stand  down. If necessary, you may need to physically remove your senior from the room in order to redirect their attention to another topic.

1. Try not to make it seem as though it is your senior's fault. While they may be causing the confrontation because they do not remember a certain detail, it is important not to place blame on your elderly loved one. Instead, remain as positive as possible when extricating them from the situation.

1. Gently reminding your loved one about the events that have taken place may help in redirecting them, depending on the type of memory loss they are experiencing and the severity of their condition. In some cases, going over certain details or looking at family pictures can help to end confrontation and remind your senior about the information over which they are fighting.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Memory loss is, quite honestly, a very scary thing to experience. As such, your senior may feel frustrated, insecure, or uncomfortable when they cannot remember certain details. The key to keeping them from continuing to carry on a confrontation is to stop the argument and either explain the situation to your senior or, if they have severe memory loss, move on to a new topic of conversation.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

Dementia Care Chapel Hill: Recognizing the Signs of Dementia

By Todd Palmer

Dementia Care Chapel Hill - Dementia is a progressive condition that impacts a large number of elderly individuals. While there is no cure for the many forms of dementia that exist, there are ways in which medical professionals can treat and manage its symptoms to assist in slowing the progression of the disease.[1] The key, though, to best caring for a senior who has dementia is to catch it early, as treatment is more effective in situations where the issue is addressed during the earliest stages. At Always Best Care of Chapel Hill we are constantly monitoring patients and alerting families at the first sign of loss.

Chelsea of Durham, North Carolina, provided home care for her mother before it was time to transfer her to a nursing home. Chelsea was able to detect dementia in her mother early, and has since advocated for the improved awareness of the symptoms of this disease. Here, Chelsea shares these symptoms to assist you in catching this condition as early as possible should your elderly loved one experience it. The most common signs of dementia include:

• Memory loss 
• Trouble communicating 
• Difficulty planning 
• Impaired organization 
• Inability to retain new information 
• Changes in personality, behavior, and judgment 
• Motor function and coordination impairment 
• Trouble reasoning 
• Paranoia 
• Hallucinations 
• Agitation

A lot of these symptoms are difficult to pinpoint because, in many cases, they are also the natural signs of aging. As such, it is important to pay close attention to your senior's condition in order to determine whether or not they need medical attention. The best rule of thumb to follow is to schedule an appointment for your elderly loved one with their doctor should any of these issues arise. After an initial investigation of these conditions, make it a point to take your senior into the doctor should they suffer from symptoms that interfere with daily life (i.e. disruptive memory loss).

Chelsea and her family experienced the process of identifying and treating dementia first hand, and as such she can say that it is a difficult process for both seniors and their family members; however, managing this disease is easier if it is caught early, and Chelsea encourages you to understand these warning signs so that, should dementia develop, your family can have as much time with your senior as possible.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131/DSECTION=symptoms