It’s important for seniors to maintain healthy skin.
Once we age, skin changes are normal. Our skin becomes thinner and drier, may develop wrinkles, creases, and age spots, and bruises easier. Yet a little extra TLC for senior skin can make a difference towards keeping it more vibrant and healthy. Try these suggestions from the aging care professionals at Live Free Home Health Care:
- Alter the bathing regimen. Encouraging a senior to exchange long, hot baths for a 10-minute shower or warm-water bath and replacing bar soap with a far gentler cleanser are excellent starting points in looking after aging skin. Switching from showering or bathing every single day to every other day can further protect the skin. Seniors should also make sure to follow up bathing with a fragrance-free moisturizer; however, stay clear of bath oils, which can boost the risk for a fall.
- Safeguard from the sunlight when outside. Spring is a popular time to enjoy being outside together with a senior loved one, but be sure to encourage the senior to cover his or her skin with sunscreen (at least SPF 30), seek out the shade, and supply a brimmed hat for further defense against the sun’s rays.
- Boost humidity when inside. Dry air commonly causes dried-out skin. When heating or A/C are operating in a senior’s home, make use of a humidifier too. Monitor humidity levels with a hydrometer (available at your local hardware or home improvement store), and strive for a reading of somewhere between 45 and 60%.
- Shield working hands. If a senior loved one enjoys being able to help with household chores or gardening, make sure he/she wears gloves to protect the hands against any abrasive chemicals which can aggravate or hurt the skin.
- Check for skin cancer. Make certain that a senior loved one visits the dermatologist at least once a year to be monitored for skin cancer, as the risk increases as we grow older. In between visits, check for any spots or moles on the skin consistently, and advise the dermatologist of any alterations in color, size, or shape to existing spots or moles. The doctor can also help develop a strategy to address any other skin problems the senior is experiencing. To find a dermatologist nearby, search the American Academy of Dermatology’s database.
At Live Free Home Health Care, our knowledgeable home health care team is highly skilled in helping seniors maintain optimal health, from head to toe! A few of the numerous ways we can help include:
- Transportation for seniors and accompaniment to checkups and surgical procedures
- Making sure seniors stay amply hydrated
- Preparing healthy, nutritious meals for senior adults
- Providing bathing/showering assistance
- Helping with housework and laundry
- Encouraging physical activity and exercise
- Offering friendly companionship
- And much more
Get in touch with the specialists in senior care at Live Free Home Health Care by calling 603-217-0149 any time to let us know how we can help you. We are the experts in home care in Concord, NH, offering compassionate, professional care for area families.