A silent stroke is when the blood suddenly stops flowing to the brain. In many cases, the senior is completely unaware that anything has even taken place because there are so few outward symptoms when a silent stroke is occurring. It is also possible to experience a silent stroke while sleeping. Although there might not be any outward symptoms, leading providers of senior care in Jefferson County remind caregivers and other family members that silent strokes can disrupt the memory.
Where in the brain the stroke occurred determines the side effects the senior will experience. If the flow of blood to the temporal lobe is interrupted, which is a common location for a stroke, memory loss will be the most noticeable side effect. In some cases, the portion of the brain that holds the memories cannot recover and the memories cannot be accessed. Often times, silent stroke impacts the short-term memory much more severely than it does the long-term memory. In other cases, the damage is less severe because the blood flow was interrupted for a shorter amount of time, and the synapses will learn to respond again with practice.
According to recent studies, as many as 25% of elderly adults have had a silent stroke in their lifetime. In about 10% of silent stroke cases, there is permanent damage to the brain. However, with cognitive therapy, the brain can be trained to compensate for the areas where it is lacking.
Often, mild memory loss is attributed to age, and without conducting a brain scan it can be near impossible to know if silent stroke is really the culprit. If suspect your loved one experienced a silent stroke, make an appointment with his or her physician. Sometimes, it’s possible for a doctor can detect symptoms without a brain scan.
You may also consider hourly home care from Home Care Assistance of Jefferson County. Our caregivers are expertly trained in our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method that uses mentally stimulating activities to prevent cognitive decline and preserve mental acuity.
For more information on the post-stroke home care services available near you, call us at (303) 987-5992. Our friendly Care Managers are available to take your call 24/7 and can answer your questions or schedule a free in-home consultation.