5 Tips for Reducing Stroke Risk in Older Adults

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Aging causes arteries to become harder and narrower. When this occurs, they’re more likely to clog with fatty material, increasing the odds of having a stroke. As a family caregiver, it would be best to learn more about stroke prevention to develop ways to keep your senior loved one’s blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight at healthy levels to reduce his or her risk of strokes.

1. Eat Healthily

Obesity is more common in seniors with high-calorie diets, and it raises cholesterol and disrupts blood flow. A healthy diet can prevent excessive weight gain and lead to a healthier lifestyle. The main objective is to avoid foods high in sugar and sodium. This prevents high cholesterol and blood pressure, two of the top causes of strokes in older adults. The best foods to prevent a stroke include lean meats, green vegetables, and some fruits. Seniors should also drink plenty of water.

Not all seniors can prepare nutritious meals independently. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of live-in care and respite care. seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.

2. Stay Physically Active

Inactivity is one of the reasons some seniors have strokes. However, regular exercise could boost your loved one’s heart health and reduce the risk of clogged arteries. It can also lower blood pressure and stave off strokes. Your parent can take exercise classes, join senior-friendly sports groups, or develop healthy workout routines around the home to stay physically active.

3. Avoid Smoking

Each time your loved one smokes a cigarette or cigar or uses other types of tobacco products, it could lower the good cholesterol levels in his or her body, increasing the risk of sticky blood that produces clots. When this happens, blood flow to the brain and heart is blocked, which can cause a stroke, among other severe health problems.

Instead of smoking, your loved one should take on fun activities that keep him or her mentally and physically happy and busy instead of focusing on negative aspects of life that increase the desire to smoke. 

Some older adults need help making healthy lifestyle choices. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elder care. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

4. Avoid Stressful Situations

Older adults must avoid stressful situations that increase blood pressure and make the heart work overtime. Failing to do so could increase the risk of blood clot formation. These clots will then travel to the brain or heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack.

Your loved one can lower stress levels by avoiding negative situations and people. Encourage your parent to join senior groups or take up fun activities outside the home. Doing so can lower stress levels. Speaking with people in similar situations could also be beneficial.

5. Visit the Doctor Regularly

Visiting the doctor for regular checkups helps your parent get blood tests and other examinations that can identify whether he or she has any conditions that increase his or her risk of stroke. Your loved one can also learn more about healthy and proven stroke-prevention habits. If your parent needs to be placed on medication, only a certified medical professional can do so, so visiting the doctor is necessary.

Schedule visits twice during the year or more if requested by your loved one’s family physician. When health issues occur, log the problems and report them to the doctor for further guidance. 

Strokes are among the most serious health concerns for aging adults. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of at-home care services in Miami,families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. To create a customized home care Miami plan for your loved one, call us at (305) 574-9137.

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