With all the advances in medicine, it’s no surprise that people are living longer. But the question is: what kind of life will you have when you become an older person? If you had a stroke recently or have been struggling with health issues for years, it can be tempting to give up on yourself. The truth is that there are many things that aging citizens can do to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain independence, even when they’re facing challenges like physical limitations or memory loss. If you’ve had a stroke, it’s important to know that life does not have to end. Stroke can be scary, but with the right lifestyle and nutrition choices, you can stay healthy and active. Below are some senior lifestyle options for staying active as you age:
What Is A Stroke?
Strokes are a medical emergency that can cause permanent brain damage and death. They occur when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or interrupted, damaging or killing some of the cells in that area. Stroke symptoms vary depending on which part of the brain is affected by the stroke.
Signs Of A Stroke
If you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately. These are signs of a stroke:
- Trouble speaking or sudden confusion, difficulty understanding speech and/or facial drooping on one side of the face
- Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes (seeing double), loss of vision in part of your visual field, sudden partial blindness
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Numbness or weakness in arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Managing Life After A Stroke
After you’ve had a stroke, it’s important to manage your recovery in the right way. The following steps will help you get back on track:
- Rehabilitation is a key part of recovery after a stroke and can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Your doctor can refer you to one or more of these specialists depending on your injury’s extent.
- Nutrition plays an important role in managing your health after a stroke. It’s necessary to eat well-balanced meals while also paying attention to which foods may cause complications during rehabilitation (for instance, high-fat foods).
- Medications are often necessary after having a stroke because they can help control blood pressure or reduce inflammation in the brain; however, medications should not be taken unless prescribed by your physician because they could cause serious side effects if misused or taken incorrectly.
- Getting physical therapy (PT) is one of the most important things that aging adults should do after recovering from a stroke because it helps them regain strength, balance, coordination, and mobility so they can enjoy an active lifestyle again without worrying about falling or having another stroke due to lack of exercise! The amount of PT sessions depends on how severe the condition was at first. Still, typically, patients receive 10-12 sessions over six weeks before moving onto more intense rehabilitation therapies such as speech therapy, where they learn how best to communicate – either by speaking typically again if possible or else through alternative means such as sign language, etcetera.
Conclusion
The stroke risk is greater for the elderly, increasing as we age. Stroke can present itself in many forms, so you must know what to look out for. It’s important to remember that your lifestyle choices play a huge role in preventing another stroke from occurring again!
