A stroke happens because blood supply to the brain is restricted or cut off. This causes a lack of oxygen and nutrients to part of the brain, which causes brain cells to die. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, a stroke sufferer may experience a variety of physical problems, including mobility issues. Knowing how stroke can affect your older family member’s ability to move may allow you to better assist them.

Below are some of the ways mobility can be affected by stroke.

Weakness

It’s common for stroke victims to have muscle weakness. The weakness may affect just a small part of the body or it could affect one entire side of the body. Doctors call weakness on one side of the body hemiparesis. Sometimes muscles become paralyzed. When an entire side of the body is affected, it is called hemiplegia.

Drop Foot

Sometimes a stroke causes a condition called drop foot, which is when the toes on one foot droop and cause the person to trip as they take a step forward. This happens because the feet and leg muscles are too weak to lift the foot completely.

Spasticity

Muscles may become very tight and difficult to stretch. Doctors may also call this hypertonia. It may cause one hand to remain clenched in a fist or keep an arm bent to the chest. On the other hand, they could also experience hypotonia, which is when muscles are very loose, making limbs floppy.

Fatigue

People frequently experience fatigue following a stroke. This can make them feel very tired after walking just a short way. Fatigue can be worsened by the fact that the older adult has to concentrate to move their body correctly while walking.

Sensation Changes

Your older family member may have some numbness in their feet and legs, which can make walking difficult. Or, they could feel pins and needles or pain, which may affect their desire to walk.

Home health care can assist older adults whose ability to move independently has been affected by stroke. A home health care provider can walk with the senior to prevent them from falling and help them to strengthen muscles. If the senior is confined to a wheelchair, the home health care provider can push them to where they need to go, so they can continue to get around the house and out of it. Home health care providers can also drive your aging relative to their physical therapy appointments, so they can recover as much mobility as possible.

Sources:  https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/Stroke-resources-and-fact-sheets/Mobility-and-exercise-after-stroke-fact-sheet
https://www.stroke.org.uk/effects-of-stroke/physical-effects-of-stroke
https://www.webmd.com/stroke/walking-mobility-after-stroke#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113

For Home Health Care Services in Arlington TN, please contact the caring staff at Personal Care Services MidSouth today!