How to care for an elderly with seizures
Seizures are often a common occurrence in the elderly. Suggesting an imbalance in the electrical activity in the brain. It is not a disease but a symptom of many other brain conditions.
Seizures are unusual behavior and actions. That is usually followed by loss of consciousness. The Elderly have seizures and experience falls and jerking movements accompanied by body stiffening. This entire set of events takes a toll on our elderly. And they really have a difficult time managing the condition. Therefore, caregivers have an extremely important role in such conditions. Taking care of an elderly who often experiences seizures is not an easy task. And caregivers must be fully aware of the various risks that can follow.
Problems that can follow seizures
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Secondary injuries
While your loved one has an attack. There is an excellent possibility that they suffer from secondary injuries. Therefore, as a caregiver, you must watch for signs of constant pain after one ends. A headache is usually expected after an attack. However, never ignore a severe attack. If your senior complains of chest pain or is experiencing unusual pain of some nature. it also indicates an emergency.
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Long seizures
If your senior is having a convulsion seizure that has lasted for more than 5 minutes. Or there is a consecutive attack that follows within a couple of minutes. Then call a doctor immediately, take to the emergency department, or call 911.
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Breathing problems
Labored breathing is also a sign of an emergency. And if you notice that your elderly loved one is experiencing it. Then it is best to call the doctor or 911.
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Loss of consciousness
After an episode, there are chances that your senior does not regain consciousness within a few minutes. In such instances also, it is vital that you call the doctor or 911 immediately.
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Massive confusion
If you notice that your elderly is experiencing a period of confusion, it indicates that something is seriously wrong and that you must call 911.
Handling confusion among the elderly during one
Confusion is the most common thing experienced by the elderly during one. The following checklist can be of help to caregivers. While managing their elderly during an attack.
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Make sure you remove all objects. and other items that can be a source of injury for the elderly when they are having one.
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Your elderly may have agitation during an attack. Do not try to restrain them or hold them; this can aggravate the condition and make matters worse.
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Once an attack ends, try and calm your elderly as much as possible. If you notice that there is still some confusion, then you need to call the emergency.
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During a complex partial seizure, if your elderly is wandering or appears to be confused. It is best not to hold them back.
Types experienced by elderly
There are various types experienced by our elderly. It depends on which part of the brain the electrical disturbance occurs. And how much is the brain affected? The following are the various types of seizures experienced by our elderly.
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Generalized
These occur when waves of electrical activity affect the entire brain at once. Such an event may give rise to momentary blackouts. Also called absence seizure of sudden falls. Other terms are atonic seizures or myoclonic seizures accompanied by massive muscle jerks.
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Tonic-clonic
Often called convulsions. Tonic-clonic seizures present with bouts of crying. With the concerned elderly falling to the ground. The body stiffens, and there is shallow breathing, which may even stop for a few moments. A frothy saliva may also come out from the mouth, and the elderly may also bite their tongue. In many cases, the skin may turn blue due to a poor supply of oxygen in the blood. There are jerking movements, and the entire episode may stop after a few minutes. Bladder control is lost as the body gradually relaxes after a seizure attack. Slowly and steadily, the elderly would regain consciousness.
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Partial
As the name suggests, only a tiny part of the brain has improper electrical activity. In such a kind of seizure, the elderly may shake uncontrollably. And may experience different kinds of emotions. Like hearing voices that don’t exist, seeing things that are actually not there, and seeing people who longer are alive. All these sequences of events are terrifying for our elderly. This may cause them to hide these experiences from their doctor. As they feel they are going mad. However, a doctor should always know. As there is a different kinds of medications for treating partial seizures.
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Complex partial
This kind of seizure is expected in the elderly suffering from epilepsy. In this, the elderly are in a dream-like state, imagining things that do not exist. In seizures of such a nature, the elderly may repeat the same actions again and again. Elderly who get an attack of complex partial seizure. May stare, mumble and make false chewing actions.
What to do at the time of a seizure attack
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At the time of the seizure attack. Try and ease your elderly in a reclining position, preferably on a flat surface.
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Support the head with something that is soft and flat.
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Make them turn on one side to help your elderly breathe and keep the airways clear.
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Never try to feed your elderly during an attack or seizure; it can be dangerous.
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Never force them to have medicines. Until the seizure has resolved entirely and your elderly are comfortable enough.
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Jerking movements are a standard part of seizures. And it is never advisable you try to stop them forcefully. During jerking movements, there is a forceful muscle contraction. And if you try to stop them by using physical force. Then you would end up harming your elderly with muscle tears and injury. You may even end up breaking their bones, as with age, bones turn fragile and can break even with minimum force.
Conclusion
The above tips and suggestions will definitely help. Seizures that have a known cause, such as a chemical imbalance or overuse of alcohol. Usually, stop when the medical condition is treated. Many people have seizures without an identifiable cause. Eventually will stop having seizures, particularly if seizures begin during childhood. Seizures can usually be well controlled with medication. For more information, check out this site. Also, check out this past post on leg tremors. https://theultimatecaregivingexpert.com/2017/10/24/help-leg-tremors/
I am here to help you in any way. Many adult children are thrust into the senior care role for their aging loved ones with little or no preparation. If this sounds like you, help is here for you!
