The effects of strokes in seniors can vary widely among individuals. While some people only experience mild residual symptoms, such as subtle vision problems or minor gait alterations, others are debilitated by severe aftereffects. These aftereffects may include total paralysis, blindness, the inability to speak and swallow, and severe cognitive deficits. Here are the top risk factors for strokes in seniors you should know about.
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is one of the leading risk factors for strokes in seniors. Fortunately, there are various interventions that can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. These include taking prescribed antihypertensive medication, seeing a doctor on a regular basis, eating a nutrient-dense diet, getting enough exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Professional caregivers can provide the reinforcement and direction aging adults need to make lasting lifestyle changes. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior home care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Diabetes
When blood glucose levels are consistently elevated, it can impair circulation, damage blood vessels, raise the risk of renal disease, and lead to the formation of blood clots. In some cases, blood clots can break off and travel to the brain, causing a debilitating stroke. Taking prescribed diabetes medications, following a therapeutic diabetic diet, getting enough exercise, and limiting alcohol intake can keep blood glucose levels within normal limits to lower the risk of stroke.
Obesity
Excess weight, especially weight that’s concentrated in the abdominal area, puts pressure on the heart, which can increase blood pressure. Obesity can also raise low-density lipoproteins, also known as “bad cholesterol.” Too much bad cholesterol heightens seniors’ risk of stroke as well as heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Losing only a few pounds can lower both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and subsequently reduce the risk of stroke.
If you’re the family caregiver for a loved one and you find it challenging to prepare the healthiest foods for him or her, consider hiring a professional caregiver to take over your duties for an hour or two a day or a few days a month. Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Livingston families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking raises the risk of both heart attack and stroke in seniors. The toxins in cigarette smoke can damage the smaller capillaries and larger blood vessels and promote arterial inflammation. When the insides of the arteries are inflamed, blood flow is impaired, which heightens the risk of blood clots and subsequent stroke. Smoking also increases blood pressure and can impair kidney function, further increasing the risk of stroke. If your loved one is unable to quit smoking independently, a doctor can recommend treatment options that can help your loved one kick the habit to promote better cardiovascular and neurological health.
Excessive Alcohol Intake
Alcohol can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure, raise the risk of renal impairment, and increase levels of blood triglycerides. These blood fats have been shown to raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, by maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol consumption, older adults can effectively lower their triglyceride levels.
Livingston home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. To hire a dedicated caregiver, call Assisting Hands Home Care at (973) 406-4733 today.
