Did you know that one out of every 19 deaths in the United States is caused by stroke? This condition is also one of the leading causes of disability among older adults, and the risk of stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55. The more seniors and their families know, the better they’ll be able to meet changing needs with age. And if you provide care for a loved one, the following five facts about stroke are even more important—this information may save your loved one’s life in case of an emergency.
1. Half of Americans Have One of the Three Major Risk Factors for Stroke
These risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Eliminating one or more of these risk factors greatly reduces the likelihood that your loved one will have a stroke.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Embrace In-Home Care, a leading provider of elder care. Embrace In-Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Knowing the Symptoms of a Stroke Can Save Lives
When your loved one is experiencing a stroke, the faster you’re able to get him or her to the hospital, the better his or her outcome will be. Look for a droop on one side of the face, numbness in one arm, and slurred or confused speech.
3. 80 Percent of Strokes Are Preventable
By eliminating controllable risk factors like smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, and having a sedentary lifestyle, your loved one is much less likely to have a stroke regardless of his or her age.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Green Valley 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 live-in caregivers from Embrace In-Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life.
4. Women Are Just as Susceptible as Men
While women have fewer instances of heart disease and cardiovascular problems overall, they’re just as likely, or even slightly more likely, than men to experience strokes. This is partially because women tend to live longer than men.
5. Recurrent Strokes Are Common
Every year, about 185,000 people who survive strokes go on to have recurrent strokes. In fact, a quarter of people who have one stroke will have another stroke within five years. This means prevention is even more important if your parent has already had a stroke.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Green Valley home care services provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Embrace In-Home Care is here to help. Call one of our friendly Care Managers at (520) 625-2050 to schedule a free consultation.