Blood pressure issues are common for seniors, but what causes these changes? Seniors may be naturally more susceptible to blood pressure issues due to genetics or other health issues, but there are a lot of factors at play. Home care assistance can help seniors to manage the lifestyle changes that can help them keep their blood pressure under better control.
Dietary Changes
Changes in what seniors eat, including how much they eat, can have an impact on blood pressure. Increasing sodium intake or eating inconsistently might cause blood pressure to fluctuate. Home care assistance can help seniors to plan meals that are healthy and rely on other flavorings besides salt. The company that elder care providers offer can also help seniors slow down and focus on enjoying their meals, which can be a huge part of managing all sorts of health conditions.
Stress
Ongoing stress is a huge contributing factor for all sorts of health issues, but for high blood pressure in particular. When seniors first start to age in place, they might think that they aren’t going to have to worry about stress. But issues like feeling isolated or worrying about their health definitely contribute to stress for seniors. Finding ways to manage stress effectively is something that home care assistance can help aging adults do.
Dehydration
If seniors don’t drink enough water, they’re more likely to become dehydrated. The surprising thing is that dehydration can lead to other health issues, including blood pressure issues. As seniors become dehydrated, blood volume decreases and seniors may experience low blood pressure. This is even more problematic when they take medication to lower blood pressure. Sticking with a hydration routine helps aging adults stay on target and avoid dehydration.
Blood Vessel Flexibility
As seniors age, their blood vessels naturally become less flexible. Over time, this raises blood pressure so gradually that it’s difficult to notice the increased pressure. Home care providers can help seniors to adopt healthier habits that support the cardiovascular system and release some of the strain on their bodies.
Medication Side Effects
Some medications, either taken alone or in combination with other medications, can cause blood pressure changes in seniors. If seniors do suddenly notice that they are experiencing higher or lower blood pressure than usual, it’s worth talking with their medical providers about the medications they’re taking. Even small changes may help improve blood pressure issues and other side effects seniors notice.
Tracking Patterns
One or two blood pressure readings every now and then don’t really tell the whole story. It’s much better for seniors to keep track of their blood pressure more often, even keeping a log of readings, so that they have information they can share with their doctors. Home care assistance can help remind seniors to take their blood pressure and keep up with their records.
No one factor is always the answer when it comes to aging adults and blood pressure issues. Home care assistance can help seniors stay on top of the daily habits that help them keep their blood pressure where they want it to be.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in St. Paul, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
