Aging increases the risk of stroke among seniors, but there are healthy lifestyle choices they can make to reduce the odds. If your senior loved one has a family history of strokes, he or she will also be susceptible to strokes. Here are a few things your loved one can do to prevent a stroke.
1. Lower Blood Pressure Levels
Hypertension can increase the odds of having a stroke. Therefore, it’s important for your loved one to maintain blood pressure at the level recommended by his or her physician. Reducing salt intake and avoiding stressful situations can lower blood pressure. Make sure to monitor your loved one’s blood pressure regularly.
2. Eat Healthy
If your loved one is obese, he or she is twice as susceptible to a stroke as a healthy senior. The goal for aging adults is to have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less. If your loved one is overweight, he or she should start eating a healthy diet containing no more than 2,000 calories per day (depending on his or her current BMI and a doctor’s recommendation).
Make sure your loved one avoids eating unhealthy foods such as burgers, red meat, ice cream, and cheese. Instead, try adding fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products to his or her diet.
Some aging adults need a bit of assistance when they’re trying to adopt healthier habits. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Livingston seniors can count on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the in-home care they need and deserve.
3. Exercise Regularly
Even if your loved one isn’t overweight, he or she will need to stay physically active to maintain good heart health. Moderate exercise at least five days a week can reduce the risk of stroke. Your loved one can take a walk after eating breakfast or join a local fitness club with friends. If your loved one is unable to exercise for 30 minutes at a stretch, he or she can split it up into a few 10-minute sessions throughout the day.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
4. Stop Smoking
If your loved one smokes cigarettes or cigars or uses other tobacco products, the amount of plaque buildup and blood clots in his or her arteries can increase. When the oxygen level in your loved one’s blood drops, his or her heart will have to work harder to pump blood, which could lead to a stroke.
To help your loved one quit smoking, make sure he or she stays away from people, places, and events that trigger his or her craving for a cigarette. Surround your loved one with family and friends who can encourage him or her to give up smoking. It’s also a good idea for your loved one to consume sugar-free gum and healthy snacks whenever he or she craves a cigarette.
5. Drink in Moderation
Although excessive drinking can lead to several medical conditions, a glass of red wine could prevent your loved one from having a stroke. Red wine contains resveratrol, which protects the brain and heart. Make sure your loved one has only one standard drink size of wine. Drinking in excess of two glasses a day can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other health conditions.
Some aging adults may need help making lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiac issues. In Livingston, elder care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care Livingston, your aging loved one can 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. Call us today to create a customized in-home care plan.