Skincare is very important for seniors because the condition of a senior’s skin can reveal some types of health problems. Skin problems like infections can also make existing health problems worse. November is National Healthy Skin Month so it’s the perfect time for seniors to reevaluate their skin care routine and make some improvements. If your senior loved one has been having trouble with their skin or you have noticed that your senior parent has flaky dry skin they may be making one of these four common mistakes:
Showers That Are Too Hot
When seniors take showers that are too hot it can cause their skin to become dry and flaky, especially if they shower often. During the winter seniors may enjoy a hot shower to stay warm but showers should always be lukewarm to prevent skin problems. If your senor loved one really prefers hot showers then the showers shouldn’t last longer than about ten minutes so that the hot water doesn’t dry out their skin. A 24-hour home care provider who helps your senior loved one with personal care can also make sure they don’t stay in the shower too long.
Not Wearing Sunscreen
Seniors need to wear sunscreen every day. Even if they aren’t planning on going outside they need to have sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. Senior skin is much more susceptible to damage from UV rays given off by the sun and seniors can have their skin damaged by the sun even if they are indoors. Your senior loved one’s home care provider should be helping them put on sunscreen safely every morning.
Not Moisturizing Daily
It’s also important for seniors to moisturize daily, and not just to moisturize their faces. Legs, arms, elbows, and the rest of the body can develop skin conditions that will cause rashes, infections, and other skin problems. Seniors should always moisturize their entire body after a shower or bath and then they should also be moisturizing daily when they get up and when they go to sleep. During the winter it can help to have a humidifier running in the bedroom or the living room, wherever your senior loved one spends the most time. A humidifier will help keep your senior loved one’s skin from drying out.
Not Using Senior Friendly Skin Products
Senior skin is very different from the skin that your senior parent had when they were younger. That means that using the same products that they were using 20 years ago won’t really be as effective as they used to. Seniors need to be using moisturizers and skin care products that are designed to work with the unique properties of senior skin. Lotions should be oil based and not water based so that they will trap in moisture. Seniors also need to use eye creams that are created specifically for mature skin and they should be applying that twice a day in the morning and at night.
If you are considering 24-hour home care in Mattawan, MI, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care at (269) 329-4717. We are here to help!
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