5 Ways to Mitigate the Risk of a Second Stroke

According to the American Stroke Association, just over 25 percent of stroke survivors will have second strokes at some point. While the first stroke can be life-altering, a second stroke is often going to be much more severe and result in major health complications, which is just one of the reasons stroke survivors must come up with long-term plans for strengthening their cardiovascular systems and boosting their overall health. 

Revamp the Diet

When it comes to heart health, dietary habits are very important. Sticking to a healthy diet can greatly reduce the risk of a second stroke or another type of cardiac event. Many medical professionals suggest stroke survivors switch over to the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes heart-healthy foods like fresh produce, healthy fats, and whole grains. Stroke survivors also need to limit their intake of sweeteners and saturated fat.

A professional home caregiver can prepare nutritious meals that suit your aging loved one’s dietary needs. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Columbia live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life. 

Avoid Unhealthy Habits

If your loved one smokes or has any other unhealthy habits, you should come up with a plan for helping him or her change those habits. For smoking, nicotine replacement therapy is a very effective option. This type of treatment will allow your loved one to slowly reduce his or her intake of nicotine while avoiding carcinogens entirely. Nicotine replacement therapy typically utilizes patches or lozenges that release a small amount of nicotine into the system at regular intervals.

Stay Active

During and after your loved one’s stroke recovery, you’ll need to help him or her come up with a safe exercise routine. The workout routine is going to be determined by a wide variety of factors, including what types of stroke complications your loved one is still experiencing. If any of your parent’s limbs are paralyzed or severely weakened, you should schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, who can develop a customized training routine. Being active for just 20 or 30 minutes a day is one of the best things seniors can do for their heart health.

Professional caregivers can help seniors exercise in safety and comfort. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading in-home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

Take the Right Medications

Following strokes, most survivors are going to be prescribed at least a few different medications. Those medications usually regulate blood pressure, but seniors might also be given drugs to break apart blood clots. Forgetting or ignoring those medications entirely is very dangerous and could increase your loved one’s risk of a second stroke.

Lose Weight

Another important step in this process is staying within a healthy weight range, and your loved one might need to lose a few pounds in the coming months. Eating nutrient-dense foods and exercising a few times a week is a great start, but counting calories could be necessary as well. Even though keeping track of calories can be a time-consuming task, that extra work is going to pay off in the long run.

One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Columbia families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care Columbia for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. To learn about our premier in-home care plans and how they can help your loved one, give us a call at (443) 233-1245 today.