{"id":239,"date":"2019-11-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/synergyhomecare.com\/ca-anaheim-hills-92808\/2019\/11\/21\/healthy-skin-care-tips-for-your-senior-parent-anaheim\/"},"modified":"2019-11-21T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-11-21T00:00:00","slug":"healthy-skin-care-tips-for-your-senior-parent-anaheim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/synergyhomecare.com\/ca-anaheim-hills-92808\/knowledge-center\/healthy-skin-care-tips-for-your-senior-parent-anaheim\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Skin Care Tips for Your Senior Parent- ANAHEIM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The skin is a very important part of the body. The skin is the body\u2019s largest organ that plays a critical role in regulating body temperature and protecting the body\u2019s muscles, bones, and organs from infection and disease. As we age, our skin often becomes wrinkled, thinner, and loses fat, which can cause scratches, cuts, and bumps to take longer to heal.<\/p>\n

The National Institute on Aging<\/a> reports that skin health and care are vital to healthy aging. Seniors often suffer from dry skin and itching, bruises, wrinkles, age spots and skin tags, and skin cancer.<\/p>\n

Dry Skin and Itching<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seniors often suffer from dry skin and itching, which can be caused by not drinking enough water, spending too much time in the sun, living in a dry climate, smoking, feeling stressed, losing sweat and oil glands, living with diabetes or kidney disease, using too much soap or perfume, and taking medications with skin-related side effects.<\/p>\n

Bruises<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seniors often bruise more easily than younger people do. Bruising can be caused by medication side effects and loss of elasticity and fat. If your senior parent\u2019s skin bruises easily and takes a long time to heal, review their medications and talk to their doctor.<\/p>\n

Age Spots and Skin Tags<\/strong><\/p>\n

Age spots are flat, brown spots often caused by sun exposure. Age spots are larger than freckles and commonly appear on the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. \u201cSkin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface. They become common as people age and grow on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the armpit, chest, and groin\u201d, according to the National Institute on Aging<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Skin Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Skin cancer is most often caused by long-term sun exposure. The National Institute on Aging<\/a> reports that there are three types of skin cancers. \u201cTwo types,\u00a0basal cell carcinoma<\/em>\u00a0and squamous cell carcinoma<\/em>, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are usually found on parts of the skin most often exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is\u00a0melanoma<\/em>. It is rarer than the other types, but it can spread to other organs and be deadly\u201d, according to the National Institute on Aging<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While sun damage may lead to permanent wrinkles and age spots, dryness, and cancer, there are still ways to protect and nourish the skin. Mayo Clinic<\/a> provides five skin care tips to help you and your senior parent promote healthy aging:<\/p>\n

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  1. Avoid long-term sun exposure. <\/strong>Sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer, and other skin problems. Encourage your senior parent and other family members to wear protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats), seek shade (avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest), and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.<\/li>\n
  2. Don’t smoke.<\/strong> Smoking can cause wrinkles and age skin. Mayo Clinic<\/a> reports that smoking \u201cnarrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow and makes skin paler. This also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin \u2014 the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking \u2014 such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke \u2014 can contribute to wrinkles. In addition, smoking increases the risk of squamous cell skin cancer.\u201d<\/li>\n
  3. Eat a healthy diet<\/strong>. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may help to promote healthy skin. Drinking water helps to keep your skin quenched and hydrated.<\/li>\n
  4. Treat skin gently. <\/strong>To help treat skin gently, moisturize dry skin daily, use sunscreen, pat skin dry (avoid harsh wiping), use mild cleansers and avoid harsh soaps and detergents, and take warm baths and showers (hot water can be harsh on the skin).<\/li>\n
  5. Manage stress. <\/strong>Uncontrolled stress can make the skin more sensitive and cause skin problems. To encourage healthy skin and a healthy state of mind, take steps to manage stress, such as eating healthy, reading, exercising, journaling, and taking time for yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If your senior parent needs help with going to the doctor, making appointments, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and managing their medications, call SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills. SYNERGY in-home caregivers provide quality, compassionate, top-notch care to help your aging parent maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, and Anaheim Hills in-home caregivers provide many in-home care services, which include:<\/p>\n

    Errands and Transportation Support<\/strong><\/p>\n