Our Burlington elder care experts explain how to care for skin to maintain overall health.
It’s not a facet of senior personal care that is as widely discussed as other tasks, but is critical to keeping seniors healthy nonetheless. Aging skin care issues can cause a wide variety of difficulties for seniors, including itching, bruising, dryness, discomfort, and more.
The Burlington elder care professionals at Advanced Home Health Care go to great lengths to keep older adults safe and healthy from head to toe, and that includes healthy skin. We have laid out below some of the common skin problems in aging, and some tips to help.
Dryness
According to Medscape, the majority of seniors over age 65 are bothered by itchy, flaky, dry skin, which results from a reduction in sweat and oil glands.
How to help:
- The individual should take less frequent baths or showers, utilizing warm (not hot) water, carefully dry the skin, and apply moisturizer
- See if “dry bath” products work for the individual; these cleanse the skin and hair without using water
- Try utilizing more mild soaps and shampoos, like those with Nizoral for older adults with special skin conditions, and always apply sunscreen before going outside
- Ensure the senior drinks plenty of liquids and uses a humidifier to rehydrate the skin
- Steer clear of:
- Perfumes
- Smoking
- Stress
- Too much time in the sun
Bruising
Bruising is a common occurrence in older adults, resulting from thinner skin and a decrease in fat and connective tissue that can lead to a weakening of the support surrounding blood vessels.
How to help:
- To reduce the inflammation and size of a bruise, place a cold compress over the bruise for roughly 20 minutes
- Try to keep bruised areas elevated as much as possible
- Encourage the older adult to get plenty of vitamin C, which increases collagen
- Help the person quit smoking, as smoking decreases collagen production
The Burlington elder care team at Advanced Home Health Care is experienced in aiding with aging skin care needs, and we are here to offer assistance to your senior loved one through bathing/moisturizing, inspecting for changes in the skin, avoiding bed sores, and more. Contact us any time at 800.791.7785 for more information. Visit our Service Area page for a full list of the communities we serve.
