6 Healthy Foods for Older Adults to Eat during Stroke Recovery

Nutrition can play an important role in cerebrovascular health after experiencing a stroke. Offering elderly stroke survivors nutrient-dense foods may promote healing while reducing the risk of a second event. Here are six healthy foods stroke survivors can and should eat. 

 

1. Fresh Fish 

Fresh fish, especially fatty fish such as salmon, is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients are thought to play an important role in lowering blood pressure, increasing high-density lipoproteins—or “good cholesterol”—and reducing the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease platelet aggregation, lowering the risk of dangerous blood clot formation. 

Before offering large amounts of fatty fish to your senior loved one, talk to his or her doctor. If your loved one takes aspirin or prescription anticoagulants, eating too much fish may raise the risk of abnormal bleeding. 

 

2. Dark Chocolate 

Consuming dark chocolate in moderation may keep your loved one’s arteries healthy, lowering the risk of a second stroke while keeping blood pressure within normal limits. If your loved one has a history of diabetes, talk to the physician before offering your loved one dark chocolate. While consuming large amounts of dark chocolate isn’t recommended for those with high blood glucose levels, eating it in moderation may not be harmful and in fact may have a positive effect on glycemic control. 

Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Milwaukee, WI, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.

 

3. Oranges 

Oranges are rich in vitamin C and high in potassium. Stroke survivors often have high blood pressure, and they may have poor circulation and ankle edema as a result. The potassium in oranges may prevent hypertension, enhance circulation, and relieve edema of the ankles. 

If your loved one has heartburn or acid reflux disease, eating oranges or drinking orange juice may further exacerbate the symptoms. If this happens, replace oranges with bananas, another potassium-rich fruit. Bananas are less likely to cause upper digestive problems. 

 

4. Beans 

Beans are an excellent source of fiber and may prevent constipation in stroke survivors with neurological deficits. Eating beans may also help seniors maintain better control over their blood sugar levels if they have diabetes. Also high in protein, beans are a low-fat food option that can help seniors maintain their muscle strength. If your loved one has difficulty digesting beans or experiences gas pains after eating beans, try soaking them overnight, as this may prevent gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract. 

If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of in-home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years.

 

5. Walnuts 

Walnuts are high in magnesium, which can ease the pain of spastic muscles caused by neurological damage after a stroke. Magnesium-rich foods such as walnuts can also promote restful sleep while relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, which aren’t uncommon in elderly stroke survivors. If your loved one has swallowing difficulties related to the stroke, chop up the walnuts or grind them up in a food processor to sprinkle over oatmeal or other soft foods. 

 

6. Low-Fat Yogurt 

Elderly stroke survivors may experience gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea and constipation. Eating low-fat yogurt repopulates the gut with “good bacteria,” which may also support the immune system. Low-fat yogurt is also a good source of protein, which may promote wound healing in seniors who have decubitus or stasis ulcers as a result of limited mobility or impaired circulation. 

The type of Home Care Milwaukee seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. To learn about our high-quality in-home care plans, call us today.