Put your best face forward with these skin care tips for seniors.
As we grow older, skin changes are typical. Our skin becomes thinner and drier, may develop wrinkles, creases, and age spots, and bruises easier. Yet just a little extra TLC for senior skin can go a long way towards keeping it more radiant and healthy. Consider these guidelines from the aging care professionals at Compassionate Nursing Services:
- Alter the bathing routine. Trading in long, hot baths for a 10-minute shower or warm-water bath and switching bar soap with a more gentle cleanser are excellent places to begin taking better care of aging skin. Helping older adults transition from showering or bathing every single day to every other day will further protect the skin. Regularly follow up with a fragrance-free moisturizer, but stay clear of bath oils, which may boost the risk for a fall.
- Safeguard from the sun’s rays when outside. Spring is a superb time to enjoy nature with a senior loved one, but don’t forget to encourage skin protection with sunscreen (at least SPF 30), seek out the shade, and suggest a brimmed hat for further defense from the sun’s rays.
- Increase humidity when inside. Dry air, naturally, contributes to dry skin. When heating or A/C are operating in an older adult’s home, utilize a humidifier, too. Test humidity levels with a hydrometer (available at your neighborhood hardware or home improvement store), and strive for a reading of somewhere between 45 and 60 percent.
- Safeguard working hands. If an older adult takes pleasure in helping with household chores or gardening, be certain he/she wears gloves to safeguard the hands against any abrasive chemicals that can aggravate or injure the skin.
- Check for skin cancer. Make sure that the older adult goes to the dermatologist at least annually to be examined for skin cancer, because the risk increases as we grow older. In between appointments, pay attention to any spots or moles on the skin on a regular basis, and advise the dermatologist about any alterations in color, size, or shape to pre-existing spots or moles. The doctor can also help develop a strategy to deal with various other skin issues the senior is encountering. To find a dermatologist near you, search the American Academy of Dermatology’s database.
At Compassionate Nursing Services, our knowledgeable care team is highly trained in helping seniors maintain optimal health, from head to toe! Just a few of the various ways we are able to help include:
- Senior transportation and accompaniment to checkups and surgical procedures
- Making sure that seniors stay well hydrated
- Cooking healthy, nutritious meals in accordance with any dietary restrictions
- Providing bathing/showering assistance for seniors
- Helping with housework and laundry
- Encouraging physical activity and exercise
- Offering pleasant companionship
- And so much more
Get in touch with the experts at Compassionate Nursing Services by calling 314-432-4312 today. We are the leaders in senior care and adult day care in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding area, providing unparalleled care for older adults. Contact us any time to learn how we can assist you.