Seniors are more likely to have strokes than any other age group due to poor eating habits, inactivity, chronic stress, smoking, and aging. However, making healthy lifestyle choices can prevent cardiovascular issues. Here are some unique ways for seniors to reduce their risk of strokes.
1. Make Food Art
The foods seniors eat play an essential role in their heart health. For instance, eating foods low in sodium and high in fiber and getting adequate amounts of folic acid and vitamins can keep your elderly parent’s mental and physical health in good shape.
Instead of following traditional mealtime habits, your loved one should try making food art. For instance, when eating vegetables, fruits, and lean meats, your loved one can turn the food into pictures of animals, plants, and other objects that are easy to create.
For many seniors, shopping for fresh foods and preparing nutritious meals on their own can be challenging. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable at-home care. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
2. Light Scented Candles at Dinner
The best scent for your loved one to use when trying to curb his or her appetite is vanilla. A vanilla-scented candle can help seniors avoid overeating and prevent them from eating dessert after every meal—two things that can lower the risk of weight gain, which is a leading cause of strokes. Lighting scented candles could also enhance your loved one’s mood and reduce anxiety, which also lowers the odds of a stroke and various cardiovascular issues.
3. Join a Dance Team
Moving the muscles and stimulating the mind are perfect ways for seniors to increase circulation and prevent buildup in the arteries that increases the risk of a stroke. Presenting your loved one with different exercises can provide an alternative way to maintain good circulation and boost heart health. Instead of going to the gym multiple times a week, your parent can join a local senior-friendly dance team. The constant movement and social interaction can boost quality of life and prevent a stroke.
Some seniors have mobility limitations or health conditions that make it difficult to exercise safely on their own. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing a serious illness and require more extensive live-in care. Anchorage seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve.
4. Brush Instead of Smoke
Smoking is a bad habit that narrows the arteries and increases the risk of blood clots that could lead to a stroke. Encourage your loved one to find an activity to complete when the urge to smoke arises, such as brushing his or her teeth. Your loved one’s mind may become consumed with cleaning correctly instead of focusing on a cigarette. Seniors who stop using tobacco products have a better chance of enhancing the way their hearts function, strengthening their immune systems, and lowering their odds of lung cancer.
5. Try Color Therapy
High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke among older adults, which is why your loved one needs to find ways to control stress and anxiety in the senior years. Color therapy is an effective way to lower blood pressure and boost overall wellbeing. Every color has a different impact on the brain, so your loved one can carry around color pads or envision a particular color when he or she becomes overwhelmed. The objective is to think about a color that keeps the mind calm and instantly reduces stress.
Some aging adults may need help making lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiac issues. In Anchorage, homecare agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To learn more about our reliable, compassionate in-home care services, contact us at (907) 770-0907 today.