Statistics indicate approximately 800,000 people in the United States each year have strokes, which remain the fifth leading reason for death in the country. Although there are different types of strokes, when these events occur, blood rich in oxygen and nutrients cannot circulate, which causes neurons in the affected region to die. Cell death causes the symptoms exhibited during a stroke. There are many reasons seniors succumb to cerebral vascular events.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart develops an erratic rhythm and an abnormally fast rate. The irregular rate causes blood to accumulate in the heart, which then clots. The clots eventually leave the heart and enter the brain. When a clot cannot pass through a small blood vessel, obstruction and subsequent cell death occur. Older adults can reduce their risk of this type of stroke by taking the appropriate medication to regulate their heart rate.
If your loved one needs timely reminders to take his or her medication, a professional caregiver can help with this and much more. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Many older postmenopausal women take estrogen and progesterone replacements because once menopause occurs, these hormones are no longer manufactured in the body, which leads to a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep pattern disturbances. However, a study performed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that women taking estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone have a 41 percent higher risk of stroke. These hormones are known to contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis. Senior women who take hormones and smoke or who have diabetes or hypertension put themselves in an even higher risk category.
Older men who receive testosterone replacement therapy for erectile dysfunction are also at risk. The hormone increases the likelihood of developing blood clots, elevates LDL cholesterol, and reduces HDL cholesterol. Seniors should consult with their healthcare providers for alternative treatment.
Inactivity
Seniors who live sedentary lifestyles are more likely to become overweight. They often consume more calories than they burn. Remaining in the same position for hours on end raises the risk of clot formation. Sedentary seniors also often consume an unhealthy diet, which leads to elevated LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels that contribute to plaque formation in the blood vessels.
Inactivity commonly contributes to hypertension. The combination of narrowed blood vessels secondary to plaques or clots plus excessive pressure may lead to a stroke caused by an obstructed or ruptured blood vessel. Older adults should strive to get 150 minutes of some type of exercise each week.
If you find it challenging to help your loved one get the exercise he or she needs, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide assistance. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Philadelphia Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Smoking
The American Lung Association reports that smokers double their risk of stroke compared to people who don’t smoke. The chemicals used to process tobacco products elevate the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and cause hypertension. The combination of effects leaves older adults susceptible to blood vessel weakening and potential ruptures. Family members can help their older loved ones stop smoking by consulting with physicians and engaging their parents in diversionary activities.
Even if seniors have mobility issues or health challenges, they can still take actions to prevent strokes, especially with the help of trained professional caregivers. Philadelphia 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. Call Home Care Assistance at (215) 645-4663 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.