Strokes do not necessarily occur at random, and there are several risk factors involved. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Mississauga Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Here are a few ways seniors can minimize their risk of strokes.
1. Eat Healthier
People who don’t follow a healthy diet are more likely to have a stroke. To lower their risk of stroke, seniors should reduce their intake of cholesterol and saturated fats and avoid red meat, butter, and fried dishes. They should also limit their sodium intake and consume more poultry, fish, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and nuts.
2. Get Treated for Atrial Fibrillation
Strokes are sometimes caused by atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular heart rate. Atrial fibrillation can often lead to inadequate blood flow and blood clots, which are linked to strokes. Seniors with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which causes frequent heart rate irregularity, may need constant treatment and care.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Mississauga, ON, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
3. Drink Less Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol can raise blood pressure levels, which increases the risk of stroke. To reduce the risk, men above the age of 65 should not drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day and women should drink no more than one. One drink is equivalent to 1.5 ounces of liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer.
4. Manage Diabetes
Seniors with diabetes are four times more likely to have a stroke than those without diabetes. To prevent a stroke, seniors with diabetes need to monitor their cholesterol and blood pressure levels, as they are also important contributing factors. People with type 1 diabetes need to monitor their insulin and blood sugar levels, and those with type 2 diabetes should stick to a doctor-approved diet and exercise plan. Seniors may also require medications for diabetes treatment such as metformin. They should also talk to their doctor about their stroke risk and any preventative measures required.
5. Stop Smoking
Smoking can make your loved one susceptible to stroke because it decreases arterial health, increases the risk of clot formation, and thickens the blood. Seniors who smoke or use tobacco should quit if they want to minimize their risk of a stroke.
Quitting cigarettes can be difficult for seniors since many of them have been smoking for decades. However, there are many support systems that can help them give up smoking. Your loved one can join support groups, go to individual counseling sessions, and seek help from sympathetic friends and family members. He or she can also use nicotine patches and other smoking cessation aids.
When recovering from a stroke, seniors often need extensive assistance once they return home from the hospital. Mississauga stroke care professionals are available 24/7 to help seniors maintain a high quality of life while managing the challenges of stroke recovery. If your loved one needs assistance managing the symptoms of a stroke, call Home Care Assistance at 905-337-1200 today.