There are many health conditions that often occur with elderly adults. One of the conditions that you should know more about as a family caregiver is a stroke. There are hundreds of thousands of American adults who have a stroke each year. Sometimes strokes can be fatal or create permanent, debilitating problems including speech and mobility issues. The good news is there are some stroke prevention tips that can help your elderly loved one lower their risk of having a stroke.
Knowing the Stroke Risk Factors
As a family caregiver, one of the things that you should learn more about are stroke risk factors. Some of these are environmental factors while others are genetic factors. If your elderly loved one has conditions such as a heart disorder, they have a higher risk of having a stroke. In addition, there are some lifestyle factors that increase the risk of having a stroke, as well. These include things such as a heavy fat diet, not exercising enough, and smoking cigarettes. If your elderly loved one makes these lifestyle choices, it would be best to encourage them to change their ways.
Losing Weight
If your elderly loved one wants to reduce their risk of having a stroke, one of the things they may need to do is lose weight. If they are overweight, this could heavily impact their chances of having a stroke. However, research shows that losing even 10 pounds could significantly reduce the risk of having a stroke.
Exercising Regularly
Regular exercise can reduce the risk of having a stroke, too. If your elderly loved one needs some encouragement to exercise regularly, you and their caregivers can try to motivate them. It might be helpful if you or their caregivers go for a walk or exercise with them. Exercising helps to reduce blood pressure, which also reduces the risk of a stroke.
No Smoking
If your elderly loved one is currently a smoker, quitting would be great for them. It would also help them to reduce their risk of having a stroke. While it can be tough to quit, there are products that can assist them in the process.
Now that you know about the ways to lower the risk of a stroke, you can share these with your elderly loved one. If they implement even a few of these tips, they could significantly reduce their chances of having a stroke.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Scottsdale, AZ, or anywhere in the East Valley, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care.
Call (480) 777-0070
Sources
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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