One of the scariest things about strokes is that they can happen at any time, and there may be no warning signs before a stroke occurs. Seniors have a higher risk of strokes than other age groups. But there are also other risk factors for strokes that can increase your mom or dad’s chances of having a stroke.
One of the risk factors for having a stroke is having had a stroke already. If your senior mom or dad has had a stroke, they should have senior home care services in case they have another one. With senior home care, your mom or dad can get immediate medical help if they do have a stroke. Getting help fast can increase the chances that your mom or dad won’t suffer any long-term damage from a stroke.
In addition to getting older, if your mom or dad has had a stroke or has any of these risk factors for strokes, you should make sure they have senior home care:
1. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a leading cause of strokes. It damages blood vessels over time. This makes it harder for blood to flow properly to the brain. Seniors, their families, and senior home care providers should monitor their blood pressure regularly and talk to a doctor immediately if their blood pressure starts rising.
Managing it with medication and lifestyle changes is a good way to minimize the risk of stroke due to high blood pressure.
2. Diabetes
Having diabetes raises the risk of strokes. High blood sugar can harm blood vessels. This makes them more likely to become blocked or burst.
Seniors with diabetes must control their blood sugar levels to lower their risk of having a stroke and to protect themselves from other health problems. Healthy eating, exercise, and medication help reduce this risk, and senior home care providers can help them stay on the right track.
3. Heart Disease
Heart disease is closely linked to strokes in seniors. Conditions like atrial fibrillation cause irregular heartbeats. This can lead to blood clots forming in the heart. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
Regular heart check-ups are essential, so if your mom or dad hasn’t had one in a while, call their doctor and set up a heart screening.
4. Smoking
Seniors should quit smoking if they still smoke. Smoking can cause a huge range of health problems for seniors and make existing health problems worse. Smoking increases stroke risk significantly. It damages blood vessels and reduces oxygen in the blood. Smoking also raises blood pressure, adding to the danger.
Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to lower stroke risk. Seniors who quit see health benefits quickly.
5. Lack of Physical Activity
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to strokes. Being inactive contributes to obesity, high blood pressure, and poor circulation. Regular exercise helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.
Seniors who are living at home and have limited mobility may have a higher risk of strokes because they can’t move around as much as they used to. Playing easy games like balloon volleyball or beanbag toss with the help of senior home care providers can help seniors get more movement at home and help improve their circulation.
When seniors have good circulation, their risk of having a stroke is lower.
If you or someone you know needs Senior Home Care in Rochester, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 525-7742 for more information.