What Are Some Lifestyle Risk Factors for Stroke Your Parent Might Face?

Caregiver Arlington Heights IL - What Are Some Lifestyle Risk Factors for Stroke Your Parent Might Face?

Throughout the United States stroke remains the number one cause of lasting, serious disability and damage, and a leading cause of death among both men and women, and people of all ethnicities. Each year nearly 800,000 people suffer a stroke, and 140,000 of these die. Nearly 75 percent of these deaths occur in older adults aged 64 years or beyond. As a family caregiver these statistics can be unnerving, but they illustrate the importance of understanding stroke and what you can do to help your parent reduce their risk of suffering a first stroke or a recurrent stroke if they have already suffered such a medical incident.  

There is no one way to prevent having a stroke and even those who do everything that they can to stay healthy may encounter one. However, there are some risk factors that your parent can address that can help to reduce their chances of a stroke and boost their health as they age in place.  

Some lifestyle risk factors for stroke that your parent might have and can control include: 

• Eating an unhealthy diet or a diet that does not contain the nutrients that their body needs to thrive, 
• Consuming too many unhealthy components such as saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium, 
• Living a largely sedentary lifestyle or not getting adequate physical activity on a regular basis, 
• Being overweight or obese, 
• Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco in other forms, 
• Consuming an excess amount of alcohol, which can vary depending on the individual and their health concerns so it is important to discuss this issue with your parent's doctor and keep them to the amount that the doctor says is right for them, if any. 

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be extremely challenging, particularly if you are a member of the sandwich generation caring for both your aging parent and your children, or if you live at a distance from your parent and you are not able to be with them as often as you would like. Fortunately, if you are having difficulty managing your parent's needs and challenges, or simply feel that they would benefit from additional care and support, hiring a caregiver can help.

A caregiver provider can give your parent a personalized approach to care that ensures that their needs, limitations, and challenges are met in a way that is right for them, while also supporting their pursuit of a lifestyle that is active, engaged, and fulfilling. This can ease your stress and give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus your energy and attention in the most effective ways while also managing the other aspects of your life in the bets way possible.  

​Sources:  http://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/DiabetesBrochure.pdf  
http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/preventing-stroke  

​If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Arlington Heights IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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