A stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, can impair cognition and mobility in aging adults. Fortunately, this health condition is often preventable. These five tips can significantly lower your senior loved one’s chances of having a stroke.
1. Reduce Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the main cause of strokes because it weakens blood vessels until they break. Your loved one should try to keep his or her blood pressure under 140/90 or under the level advised by a doctor. Reducing sodium intake, eating fiber, exercising, and taking blood pressure medications can help seniors manage their blood pressure.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Greater Portland senior home care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight puts more strain on the blood vessels and increases the risk of stroke. Obesity can also cause high blood pressure and diabetes, which further raises the chance of a stroke. Doctors recommend seniors keep their BMI under 25.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Assisting Hands Home Care Portland is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
3. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent strokes, as it helps seniors reduce their blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, and manage diabetes. It also strengthens the circulatory system and minimizes blood clotting. Seniors who face difficulty in exercising can benefit from a slow walk, light swim, or gentle calisthenics.
4. Don’t Smoke or Drink
Drinking more than two glasses of alcohol a day can increase the risk of stroke. Smoking causes clots to form because it thickens the blood and leads to plaque buildup in arteries. Excessive alcohol consumption can burst blood vessels, while heavy smoking increases the risk of strokes caused by blood clots. Therefore, it’s best for seniors to stop smoking entirely and limit drinks to no more than one serving of alcohol per day.
5. Choose a Healthy Diet
An unhealthy diet leads to plaque buildup in the arteries, causing clots and weakened blood vessel walls. Doctors recommend aging adults cut down on saturated fat and red meat. Instead of eating processed foods or fatty meats, seniors should eat more fruits, vegetables, fish, grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy. Olive oil, avocados, salmon, and other foods rich in unsaturated fats can help seniors maintain their heart health and prevent strokes.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Greater Portland families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ 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. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
