4 Tips for Reducing an Aging Adult’s Risk of Stroke

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Each year, approximately 795,000 people have strokes. In fact, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and those who survive must often live with changes in physical and mental abilities that impact overall quality of life. While these are alarming statistics, there are strategies that may be employed to lower stroke risk. 

1. Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of stroke. Seniors should attend regular or annual checkups with their primary care physicians to monitor their blood pressure. If levels are high, taking medications and making certain lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise and eating a healthy diet, might be recommended. 

Healthy eating habits may reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which are the main risk factors associated with strokes. Seniors need to eat more lean meats, fruits, and vegetables and avoid high-cholesterol foods, such as cheese, hamburgers, and ice cream.

If your busy schedule can’t accommodate extra attention to your aging loved one’s diet, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Cincinnati home care professionals may assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, home care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.

2. Lower Stress Levels & Prevent Depression

Stress and depression are also significant factors that may contribute to strokes. Even after seniors retire, stress may still be a major issue, as older adults may be concerned about health problems, changes in abilities, finances, and more. 

When aging adults are stressed, their blood pressure levels increase, putting them at higher risk for strokes. Help your loved one develop methods to prevent stress hormones from being released into the body. Seniors may manage stress by maintaining positive social networks, meditating, participating in activities they enjoy, and avoiding stressful situations, people, and places.

Depression is also a common problem for seniors who live alone. If this is the case for your loved one, make sure he or she socializes regularly and engages in activities outside the home that may boost his or her spirits and quality of life while reducing stroke risk. 

Help your loved one prevent stress and enjoy a higher quality of life by hiring an in-home caregiver. At-home care agencies may be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one may lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

3. Prevent Blood Clots

Certain older adults are at risk for developing blood clots that could produce strokes. If this is the case for your loved one, you should discuss the matter with his or her doctor. There are medications specifically designed to stop deadly blood clots from forming in seniors at high risk for stroke. 

4. Learn the Warning Signs

There are certain symptoms that indicate a person may soon have a stroke. The biggest warning sign is a transient ischemic attack, also commonly referred to as a mini-stroke. A mini-stroke usually causes acute numbness in parts of the face, legs, or arms. Other symptoms include sudden memory loss, confusion, blindness in one or both eyes, dizziness, and loss of balance. Seniors and family members who are aware of these symptoms may identify problems early and get medical help as soon as possible. 

Seniors may reduce their risk of strokes by making some important lifestyle changes. Maintaining a high quality of life may be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers may help them attain this goal. Families may trust Senior Care Cincinnati experts to help their aging loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives. If your loved one needs professional care, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at 513-993-5025 today.