Older adults who have had a stroke in the past are at risk of suffering a second stroke. Because different types of strokes have different causes, make certain you know what kind of stroke your aging relative had. This can help you to make a specific plan to prevent another from occurring. There are many ways to reduce the chance of having a second stroke that can help for nearly any kind of stroke, though. Below are three steps you can help your older family member to take to help them prevent another stroke.

Caregiver in Evesham NJ: Prevent a Second Stroke

#1: Don’t Skip Medication Doses
If the senior’s doctor has prescribed medication to control their blood pressure, cholesterol, or other conditions that can lead to stroke, it’s important that they take them consistently. Skipping doses or taking lower doses to save money makes the treatment less effective. In one study, people who took 75 percent or less of the dose they had been prescribed increased their stroke risk by four times.

Older adults may forget to take medications from time to time because it slips their mind. Those with memory problems are even more likely to forget doses. A senior care provider can be present with the older adult at the times when they are supposed to take medicine and remind them to do it.

#2: Monitor Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for stroke. In fact, according to WebMD, high blood pressure is responsible for half of all strokes. Keeping track of the senior’s blood pressure can help to determine if the treatment prescribed by the doctor is working. In general, healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or lower.

Senior care can assist older adults to take their blood pressure regularly, making sure they do it properly to get an accurate reading.

#3: Ask the Doctor About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing while they are sleeping. Pauses in breathing can occur up to 30 times in a single hour. Not only is it a risk factor for stroke, but it also keeps your aging relative from sleeping well. Sleep apnea can be treated, so if you suspect the senior has it, ask the doctor about having them tested.

Sleep apnea is usually treated using a CPAP machine. Senior care can assist your loved one to put the mask on at night and also help them to keep it clean.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Evesham, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. 1-800-493-5660

Sources
www.stroke.org
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
www.webmd.com