The symptoms of a stroke in the elderly are the same as the symptoms of stroke in younger people. The problem with diagnosing a stroke in an older person is that many of these symptoms, which are alarming in a younger person, are easily mistaken for normal signs of aging in the elderly. The best outcome for stroke victims occurs when the patient goes to the hospital and begins treatment within an hour of the onset of symptoms. For this reason, it is important not to spend much time deciding whether the new symptoms are true signs of a stroke.
Balance Troubles
Balance issues, such as stumbling, a sudden loss of balance, sudden onset of dizziness or the loss of fine motor skills are signs of a stroke. In fact, if the elderly person experiences any change in his normal gait or ability to get around, it is important to consider that these might be stroke symptoms.
Communication Difficulties
Communication difficulties are often blamed on a person's advanced age, but sudden speech slurs or the inability to understand what you are saying are both signs of a stroke. Aphasia, which is the inability to come up with the correct words during a conversation, is also a warning sign of a stroke and one that is commonly mistaken for typical aging.
Neurological Symptoms
The neurological symptoms that are common in stroke victims include sudden numbness on one side, stiff neck, sudden headache, and an altered state of consciousness. These are more pronounced stroke symptoms, and are rarely confused with typical signs of dementia.
Think FAST
The National Stroke Association created the "FAST" acronym to speed diagnosis and get potential stroke victims to the hospital. F is for "face:" Ask the person to smile; does one side of her face droop? A is for "arms:" Ask the person to raise both arms above the head; does one arm drop toward the ground? S is for "speech:" Give the person a sentence to repeat; does he have trouble responding or slur words? T is for "time:" Time is of the essence. If the elderly person experiences any of these symptoms, she may be experiencing a stroke. Call 911 and get her to the hospital immediately.
