As your senior mom or dad gets older, their skin needs extra care. Ageing can cause skin to be more fragile, dry, and prone to infections. It’s also important for your senior parent to protect their skin to avoid skin cancer, which is more common in older adults. Some of the things that your senior parent should be doing daily to ensure their skin stays healthy are:
Use Moisturiser Daily
Dry skin is common as people age. It can crack and lead to infections if not cared for. Encourage your mom or dad to use a gentle moisturiser every day, especially after they shower or wash their face.
Choose a lotion or cream that doesn’t have strong scents or harsh chemicals. Moisturisers made for ageing are a good choice because they contain vitamins and ingredients to help rejuvenate ageing skin.
Regular moisturising will help keep their skin soft and prevent the dryness that can cause itching or open sores. If your mom or dad utilises personal care at home, their care provider can remind them to moisturise daily or help them if they need it.
Always Use Sunscreen
Sun protection is very important, even if your senior parent doesn’t spend a lot of time outdoors. Sun exposure can happen through windows on sunny days, and ageing skin is very susceptible to sun damage and UV rays.
Remind your mom or dad to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every morning after they wash their face. If your mom or dad is going out to an appointment they should wear a hat and appropriate clothing to protect their skin from the sun.
Check Their Skin for Changes
The condition of your mom or dad’s skin can indicate changes in their overall health. It’s important to check for any new or unusual spots, bumps, or moles on their skin. Skin cancer can develop in many ways, so catching it early is key.
If your mom or dad uses personal care at home, ask their care provider to check your senior parent’s skin for any changes when helping them shower or bathe.
They should look for moles or discolourations that have uneven edges, grow quickly, or bleed. Early detection makes skin cancer much easier to treat.
Keep Them Hydrated
Many seniors are chronically dehydrated. When seniors drink enough water, their skin retains moisture, which reduces dryness and cracking. Encourage your mom or dad to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Hydrated skin is less likely to get injured and feels much better overall.
Be Gentle with Their Skin
As people age, their skin becomes thinner and more likely to bruise or tear. Remind your senior parent to take care when handling sharp objects or doing household chores. Encourage them to wear gloves when helping with household chores or doing dishes to avoid cuts and scrapes. If your mom or dad does get a minor injury, clean the wound and cover it with a bandage to prevent infection.
If you or an ageing loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Leduc, please contact the caring staff at Serving Hands Senior Care today. Call (780) 963-1516
Premiere Home Health and Senior Home Care services in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Devon, St. Albert, Edmonton, Onoway, Leduc, Parkland County and surrounding communities since 2016.
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