A stroke occurs when there is either sudden bleeding in the brain or a blockage occurs and stops blood from flowing into the brain. While there are different types of strokes, the most common one is the ischemic stroke, which accounts for more than 85 percent of strokes. With an ischemic stroke, a blockage occurs, usually by a blood clot or a piece of plaque. Plaque is a substance in the blood that is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other materials in the bloodstream. Plaque can build up in the arteries, hardening them and making it more difficult for blood to pass through. It can also sometimes break open and cause blood clots that will travel through the bloodstream until they get stuck somewhere. If that new location blocks an artery from sending blood to the brain, it can result in a sudden stroke. When such an event occurs and is treated, additional help with recovery can be obtained by hiring stroke care at home providers.
Stroke Risk Factors
While some risk factors cannot be reduced regarding the risk of a stroke (such as age), there are actually quite a few lifestyle choices that increase the risk of stroke, so making changes to these areas of someone’s life can help reduce the risk of a stroke occurring. If you are caring for an elderly loved one who might already be at high risk for a stroke, you can work with their doctor to help them make some important lifestyle changes to reduce that risk.
Here are some common health and lifestyle choices that increase the risk of stroke.
- High Blood Pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Poor Eating Habits
- Smoking
- Being physically inactive
- High levels of stress or anxiety
- Coronary Heart Disease
Reducing the Risk, one step at a time
If your loved one has a lot of risk factors, don’t expect them to change everything overnight. Work on one or two areas at a time, trying to choose the ones that most negatively affect their health. Many of the risk factors for stroke also affect multiple other areas of their health, such as smoking, obesity, and poor eating habits. Just making changes to one area can reduce the risk of stroke, but not eliminate the risk.
If a Stroke Occurs, there can still be Hope.
If your elderly loved one does have a stroke and is recovering from it, you might need some help with stroke care at home. It can be a long path for caregivers as they help their loved ones not only recover from a stroke, but also make lifestyle changes that will reduce the risk of another stroke from occurring. One way to get stroke care at home for your loved one is to have a provider visit the home to work with your loved one. Stroke care at home can help your loved one find ways to implement a healthier lifestyle by having someone work with them right at home. A stroke care at home provider can help them make healthier meals, be more active, and even help reduce stress and anxiety by being there as they recover. It’s never too early or too late to take steps to reduce the risk of stroke in your elderly loved one.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Stroke Care at Home Services in Waltham, MA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Care Resolutions, Inc. today at (508) 906-5572
CARE Resolutions, Inc. provides quality 24-Hour Home Care for seniors and families in Walpole, Dover, Wellesley, Framingham, Norfolk, Quincy, Weston, Medfield, Boston, Sherborn, MA, and surrounding areas.
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