We all know by now that a stroke can have a devastating impact upon the life of a senior citizen. It can take someone in seemingly good health and give them a sudden and immediate need for senior care thanks to the development of a permanent disability. A stroke is caused by a blockage of blood and oxygen to the brain, and it causes damage that is sometimes irreparable. When this occurs, senior care is often a must because the person who has suffered the stroke is no longer able to care for themselves adequately.
While senior citizens are at a heightened risk of stroke because of their age, did you know that the Baby Boomer generation is actually at a lower risk now than what experts believe those belonging to Generation X will have?
The Baby Boomer generation are those individuals that were born right after World War II, typically defined by the years 1945 to 1954. Generation X is largely made up of the children of the Baby Boomer generation, born between 1965 and 1974. A recent study showed that people born during this latter timeframe had about double the instances of stroke that the older generation had.
This is a very troubling statistic, and it indicates that the underlying factors that cause stroke, such as high cholesterol levels, heart disease, and lack of exercise are not improving, even though the general public knows more about how to stay healthy and fit than ever before in history. It shows that while education is important, other methods of helping people age in a healthy manner might be necessary, too.
The study referenced here was held at the Cardiovascular Institute of New Jersey, and it looked at the medical records of about 225,000 people that had suffered from a stroke over the course of about 20 years. The records on file were dated between 1995 and 2014. It was a very thorough study as it used files from the New Jersey statewide system that was created to help track information about strokes and how best to treat and prevent them. New Jersey is well known for having a diverse population, which makes this a state population that reflects upon the rest of the U.S. accurately.
What’s even more alarming to doctors is the fact that those aged 35 to 50 also have remarkably high stroke rates, especially when you take into account the fact that these individuals are younger and should be healthier. Stroke is a huge issue amongst the elderly, and finding a way to help prevent strokes has largely been accepted as the best method of treatment. If you find yourself caring for a parent that has suffered from a stroke, you already know how difficult this can be. It’s important that you take care of yourself so that you are able to continue to provide for your family and keep yourself healthier for longer. Not only will this be better for you physically, it will help you to further prevent the need for in-home care or any other type of senior care for yourself in the future.
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