Some people have migraines their entire lives, some develop them later in life, and some lucky people see them disappear as they age. Migraines are one of the most common ailments that can completely sideline a person, and take them out of whatever activity they were enjoying.
Medicine is an important part of treating migraines, but there are also steps your elderly loved one can take throughout her day, along with assistance from home care providers, to help reduce the risk of a migraine developing.
Top Home Care Tips for Stopping a Migraine Before it Starts
Migraine Prevention Begins with Sleep
Migraines can be triggered by a rough night’s sleep and poor sleeping habits. Home care providers can help your loved one develop better sleeping habits by creating a regular bedtime routine, eliminating distractions in the bedroom, and reducing naps to less than 30 minutes a day.
Maintain a Regular Exercise Plan
Physical activity releases chemicals to the brain that block pain signals. Those same chemicals also help to reduce anxiety and depression, both of which can also lead to increased migraine attacks.
If regular exercise is new to your loved one, have her start slowly with walking or cycling (she can either ride a physical bike if she’s able or use an exercise bike for stability). If you can’t be there, home care providers can be present so she knows someone is available if she needs assistance.
Clean up Eating Habits
Poor eating habits can trigger migraine headaches and for some people, specific foods can trigger an attack. Ask your loved one’s home care provider to help her plan and implement a diet that is consistent and well-balanced. Her home care provider can help with shopping as well as creating meals.
Your loved one might also consider keeping a food journal to see if any specific foods are triggering her migraines. Some common foods that do bring on migraines include chocolate, aged cheese, coffee, and alcohol.
Reduce Stress
What causes stress for your loved one? Help her brainstorm on ways to reduce that stress. If she is stressed about home chores, a home care provider can help her keep her home in good shape. If it’s financial, set up an appointment for her to meet with a financial counselor.
The more stress she can eliminate, the greater she’ll reduce her risk of migraines.
Four Tips for Once It Does Start
Even with all of the preventative measures your loved one can take to reduce the risk of a migraine developing, she may still have days when a migraine begins to set in. As soon as she feels the tell-tale signs of a migraine attack, your loved one should strive to take these steps to reduce the severity and longevity of her migraine.
- Step away from what she is doing and leave her current environment if possible.
- Find a quiet and dark place to retreat to. Sound and light can make migraines worse.
- Try heat or cold. Either can work at reducing the onset of a migraine and it usually just depends on what the person prefers. Cold can help numb painful areas whereas warmth can help areas relax tight muscles.
- Try a little caffeine. Sipping on a caffeinated drink can relieve early-stage migraine symptoms.
As a caregiver, be patient and accommodating when your loved one has a migraine. Just because you cannot see the area affected by the pain, doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel it. Home care providers can offer support to aging seniors and their families when dealing with chronic issues and migraines.
Providing exceptional Home Care in McLean, VA, for seniors and families in the Northern Virginia area, including Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Reston, Burke, Ashburn, Centreville, Springfield, Manassas, and Oakton. Call today to speak with our caring staff: (703) 272-8838.
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