The number of strokes occurring in the older population within the United States is going down. New data suggests that the number of people aged 70 and older that suffer from strokes is declining. Additionally, there has been a decrease in the number of deaths that have occurred because of stroke in this population as well.
Why is this?
While researchers don’t have an exact answer for this, it is widely believed that this is because stroke care has improved dramatically during this time period. Not only are more people surviving strokes if they have one, preventive care is also getting better. Because people understand the lifestyle changes that can improve health better, more people are living healthier. Those that aren’t making these changes have better treatment options and care ahead of them.
This study found that both the number of ischemic strokes and intracerebral hemorrhage strokes in the elderly declined from 2005 to 2018. Not only did the number of strokes in this older population go down, the rate in people aged 49 and younger remained steady.
This is good news. It means that the health initiatives that have been launched all over the world to help improve heart health have been working. It means that people are listening to medical professionals and are taking steps to live healthier, happier lives. It means that families are taking the health of their loved ones seriously and helping them to be better off as a result.
And it means that the strain on the senior care system as a whole is lessening. It means that caregivers are likely to see fewer people that need assistance because of a debilitating stroke.
Research indicates that the number of strokes that the elderly are experiencing is on the decline because of better preventive care.
The study took place in Denmark. Results were published in the online medical journal, Neurology.
A stroke is a devastating event. It’s good that their commonality is on the decline, but that doesn’t mean that they have gone away entirely. Families will still deal with them well into the future. Strokes remain one of the biggest killers in the world, and the underlying conditions that can contribute to a stroke still remain within a large number of people in our communities.
If you find yourself in a situation where a loved one has had a stroke, there’s a chance that more intensive care than what you as a family can provide will be needed. If that’s the case, please know that you have options. There are many types of senior care out there, and there’s a good chance that you can find the right level of care to mesh with what your loved one needs.
If you’re unsure of where to start, give us a call. Our professional caregivers provide this consultation service for completely free, and there’s no obligation on your behalf to use our service. Our goal is to help get you pointed in the right direction. Once you have decided which direction that is for your family, we can help you get started. The sooner you have an idea of what will work for your family, the better off your loved one in need will be.
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