Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures. It can happen in people of any age, including older adults. To be diagnosed with epilepsy, the Mayo Clinic says a person must have “at least two unprovoked seizures.” Seizures have various signs and symptoms that can depend on the kind of seizures the senior has. There are two basic kinds of seizures with different categories under each of them. Educating yourself about your aging relative’s condition is an important part of being a caregiver, so knowing the kinds of seizures may help you to be a more effective caregiver.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures are those that begin in a single part of the brain. They are sometimes also called partial seizures. Focal seizures occur in around 60 percent of people who have epilepsy.
Categories of focal seizures are:
- Focal seizures without loss of consciousness: These seizures don’t result in the person becoming unconscious. They may cause sensory changes, emotional changes, and physical symptoms like involuntary movements.
- Focal seizures with impaired awareness: As the name implies, these seizures cause the person to fall unconscious or at least become unaware of what is happening. The person might stare into space or repeat a motion, such as rubbing their hands or swallowing.
Sometimes the symptoms of focal seizures make it appear as though the older adult has a mental health problem or some other kind of nerve problem. If you notice some of the signs of focal seizures in your aging relative, ask the doctor to look into whether they might have epilepsy.
Generalized Seizures
A generalized seizure involves all parts of the brain. It causes nerve cells to misfire in both hemispheres of the brain. There are several types of generalized seizures, including:
- Grand Mal Seizures: Also called tonic clonic seizures, this type of seizure may be the kind most people are familiar with. They make the body get stiff and shake. The person loses consciousness and can may also lose bladder and bowel control.
- Clonic Seizures: These seizures cause muscle spasms that make body parts jerk in a rhythmic fashion.
- Tonic Seizures: Tonic seizures often happen during sleep. They usually last for 20 or less but may cause a person to fall if they are standing at the time.
- Atonic Seizures: With atonic seizures, the person’s muscles become limp, which causes them to fall.
Regardless of the kind of seizure your aging relative has, managing epilepsy can be difficult. Doctors usually prescribe medication to control seizures. While the medicine can be quite effective, it may not completely stop seizures. Having an elder care provider with the older adult when you cannot be present could help keep them safer. An elder care provider can watch for signs of a seizure and prevent an injury. In addition to keeping seniors safe, elder care providers can also help to prevent seizures by reminding them to take their medications on time.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/types-of-seizures-their-symptoms#1
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Williamston, MI, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Lansing. Call today: 517-332-9953.