If your elderly family member has just been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there’s a lot that you need to learn about the condition. High blood pressure can affect your aging adult a little differently than it might affect someone who is a bit younger.
High Blood Pressure Is Really Common
According to the Statistics Canada more than twenty-five percent of adults in Canada have blood pressure that is higher than normal levels. High blood pressure is not only really common, but most people don’t even realize that their blood pressure is high until it starts to cause problems for them. The best way to know what your senior’s blood pressure is doing is to test it regularly, either at home or at her doctor’s office.
Your Senior’s Blood Pressure May Occur with Other Health Issues
Elderly adults rarely have one medical condition on its own. It’s far more common that your senior’s high blood pressure problems coexist with other health problems at the same time. This is called comorbidity. Your aging family member’s doctor may let you know that this makes treating all of her health conditions a little more complicated, especially if she’s taking more than one or two medications.
Her Targets for “Healthy” Blood Pressure Might Surprise You
You can look up the recommended levels for normal or in control blood pressure levels, but those won’t necessarily be what your senior’s doctor tells you is her target. There are recommended levels, but they’re a generalization. Your senior’s doctor is going to give her a target range based on her current and expected health. It’s also going to account for any other health conditions she has.
She Can Manage Her Blood Pressure with Lifestyle Changes
No matter how high your senior’s blood pressure is now or how old she is, she can still make some small lifestyle changes that can help her to manage her blood pressure. Talk to her doctor about what is recommended for her particular situation and then tackle those changes slowly. Your senior can make a lot of progress by exercising a little bit more, changing up her diet, and learning some relaxation techniques.
It’s a good idea to get a home blood pressure monitor for your senior. If you’re not able to be there with her or she just isn’t comfortable using it on her own, elderly care providers can help your senior to take her blood pressure readings on a regular basis. This helps you and her doctor to see what’s working and what isn’t.
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Wherever their home may be, our caregivers can help keep your loved ones safe. Call our local Toronto office at (647) 793-2525 to learn how elderly care services can assist your family.