Upwards of 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke, or one every 40 seconds. It is the fourth leading cause of death in women and the fifth leading cause for men. In Latinx communities, stroke is the number one cause of death. Many strokes occur at home, sometimes while being cared for by a home care provider or a family member. While the majority of strokes occur in those 65 and older, 10% of those are 45 and younger. 

Knowing the symptoms of stroke may very well save your life or that of a loved one. All caregivers and senior helpers should know the signs. The FAST system is a quick way to recognize whether it is a sign of a stroke: 

F Face: Ask the person to smile and look for droopiness specifically on one side 

A Arms: Ask the person to lift both arms and notice if one drops a little 

S Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and look for any slurring or strangeness in their voice 

T Time: The first three hours are the most important and should you observe any of these symptoms, call 911 

Now for the good news: 80% of strokes are caused by lifestyle, which means they are highly preventable. Risk factors such as age or race cannot be controlled, but there are many things one can do to maintain a healthy balance. Regular exercise, good nutrition, meditation, and sleep are just a few of the things you can do immediately to decrease your risk. Lifestyle begins at birth and not when someone is in the throes of aging. Good health behaviors must be practiced and not just when someone needs home care or elderly assistance. 

The following tips might help you keep track of what it takes to manage a positive and active lifestyle, helping to ensure a happy and healthy and longer life! 

• Know your symptoms (FAST) 

• Manage your diabetes (through exercise, good nutrition and communication with your primary care physician) 

• Control your blood pressure 

• Manage your cholesterol 

For more information go to: 

• www.strokeassociation.org 
• www.heart.org
• www.cdc.gov/stroke

Knowing the symptoms of stroke may very well save your life or that of a loved one. All caregivers and senior helpers should know the signs. The FAST system is a quick way to recognize whether it is a sign of a stroke.