The home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western
NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina
communities, know that a stroke can impact your elderly loved one in numerous
ways. In fact, the location and severity of your senior's stroke can result in
a wide range of lasting side effects. Memory impairment is one of the most
common effects of a stroke, but this interruption in memory can manifest in
several different ways. Here are a few key pieces of information to remember if
your elderly loved one has recently suffered from a stroke and you suspect that
memory loss has take hold because of it.[1]
Different Types of
Memory Loss
When it comes to memory loss, it is important to note that
not all types of this cognitive disruption are alike. In fact, there are
several different kinds of memory loss associated with stroke. Depending upon
where the stroke occurred and how severe it was, your elderly loved one may
experience difficulty with verbal, visual, or informational memory.
Additionally, they may suffer from vascular dementia, which is a general and
oftentimes progressive decline in cognitive function that spans more than one
type of memory.
Exhibiting Different
Symptoms
While memory loss may seem like it would impact your senior
in a certain way, there are even more symptoms than types of memory loss that
might result from a stroke. Confusion is a very common symptom, as well as
short-term memory loss. Additionally, your elderly loved one might start to
wander, might get lost in places with which they are familiar, may have a
difficult time following simple instructions, or might begin facing challenges
regarding money management and transactions.
Exacerbating the
Condition
Memory loss that is sparked by a stroke or other condition
can be devastating, but it is important to remember that there are
environmental and other elements that can make this cognitive impairment worse.
Certain medications can cause memory loss to strengthen in severity.
Additionally, the use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs can make
memory loss more severe. Finally, sleep deprivation, stress, nutritional
deficiency, and depression can also contribute to the exacerbation of memory
loss. In addition, these issues can cause a loss of memory, so it is important
to determine whether or not your elderly loved one's cognitive impairment is
caused by the stroke or by their state following this event.
The elder care professionals at Always Best Care of WesternNC encourage
you to learn more about the side effects of stroke, including memory loss, to
best care for your loved one.
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