The University of Western Ontario recently reported that the prevention of strokes also has positive benefits when it comes to the prevention of dementia, too. This finding came to light after reviewing the data in Ontario regarding their stroke prevention program. Along with fewer strokes, the university also discovered that the prevalence of dementia in the same region fell alongside that.
In a paper that claims to be the first of its kind, researchers from the university, Lawson Health Research Institute, and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences looked at their pioneering stroke prevention program, and with a broader look at demographic information, found that while their stroke prevention program seems to be working, it also seems to be having an impact in different areas of health.
The most surprising and promising part of this new study? The above 80 age group, the group that has proven to be the most vulnerable when it comes to dementia and stroke, showed big gains over the last ten years in this area. According to one of the researchers involved, “the take-home message is that we can prevent some dementias by preventing stroke.” This is exciting news, and as the data shows, it doesn’t pertain to just younger folk. Even the oldest and members of our society benefit when preventative steps are taken.
Both strokes and dementia, whether it be Alzheimer’s disease or something else, increase the need for and intensity of senior care in the elderly. Strokes can lead to permanent disability, while dementia leads to a decrease in physical ability and a larger need for supervision. By having a positive impact on both of these things, it is hoped that the overwhelming need for senior care might be reduced in the future. Taking preventative measures to improve health is a good idea anyway, but now that we are gaining a solid idea of just how good these things are, we can see that prevention is far more helpful than we thought for diseases across the board.
Finding the appropriate senior care for a loved one in need is not just stressful, it can be a difficult task. Not many people worry about senior care until it is too late, and at this point, making the right decision is a high stakes move. This pressure can often lead to people making the incorrect choices for their loved one.
What’s the right course of action for you? That’s a tough question, but we recommend starting as small and non-invasive as medically appropriate. For example, someone without severe medical needs can often benefit from in-home care, if institutional care is not desired. This allows your elderly loved one to make as few changes to their lifestyle as possible, all while still providing for them. Of course, you will want to speak to your loved one’s physician before making a final choice, but starting small and working your way up tends to be a smart choice. If you have further questions about finding the best care possible, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
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