Part of a healthy routine means taking care of your skin. For seniors, this doesn’t just mean your face, like what people tend to think about, but their entire bodies. Believe it or not, your skin is the largest organ on your body. It helps to protect you from the elements, regulate your body temperature, and keep harmful bacteria out. As a result, taking care of your skin helps to maintain its healthy appearance. Additionally, proper skin care can help to reduce the risks of skin cancer, infections, and other skin diseases. If your senior needs help taking care of their skin, like bathing, moisturizing, or covering up, these are all duties that personal care at home can help with.
It’s essential to evaluate and keep an eye on irritated skin. Personal care at home can help look for anything abnormal, and when it arises, they may be able to take them to the doctor for further evaluation. You may think skin care can take the back burner as someone ages, but it is something that seniors should never neglect! Here are some things a senior may struggle with and practical tips that personal care at home can help a senior with.
Skin Struggles Seniors May Have
A regular part of aging is forming wrinkles and sagging. This has a lot to do with sun exposure which damages senior’s skin. The sun exposure breaks elastin fibers which helps make skin appear plump; when they break, it causes wrinkles and sagging! Another thing usually caused by sun damage is dark spots that look like freckles but are a bit bigger. Therefore, it is important to take your senior to the dermatologist to check out any freckles, sun spots, or moles to ensure they’re not cancerous.
Another skin struggle for seniors is developing dehydrated skin. The primary cause of this skin problem is the drying out of the skin and the insufficient intake of liquids that the skin needs to stay hydrated. Rough, scaly skin is a common side effect of dehydration or inadequate hydration. If your senior needs help to moisturize their skin, it’s time to look into hiring personal care at home.
As your senior ages, you may also find that they bruise super easily, which can be concerning if you’re not expecting it. Seniors are more prone to bruising easily due to the thinning of the skin that occurs with age. As skin thins, it becomes less resilient and more prone to damage. As people age, they also tend to take more medications, which can increase their risk of bruising. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise can also lead to thinner skin, making it more susceptible to bruising.
Skin Care Tips for Seniors
If your senior needs any help with the tips below, it’s crucial to hire the right personal care at home to help them age in place and care for their skin.
Keep Washing
Sometimes seniors don’t want to shower because it is hard to get into the tub, or they may not remember what to do. But the truth is a senior should be bathing 3-4 times a week and using a gentle cleanser on their entire body. While they’re in the shower, they should try to exfoliate to get rid of the dead skin cells at least once a week.
Moisturize After Showers
A lack of moisture can cause dry skin, which can be so discomforting. A senior should moisturize daily and especially after the shower. Pick something gentle and fragrance-free to help avoid any skin irritation.
If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Red Lodge, MT, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Billings today. 406-839-2390
