It’s not an aspect of elderly personal care that’s as widely talked about as other tasks, but is important to keeping seniors healthy nonetheless. Older adults often have difficulties with common aging skin issues, including bruising, itching, dryness, discomfort, and more.
The home care professionals at Compassionate Care Home Health Services, a leading provider of senior home care in Traverse City and nearby areas, 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 more common aging skin issues and some recommendations to help.
Dryness
According to Medscape, the majority of seniors over age 65 are troubled by dry, flaky, itchy skin, which is the result of a decrease in sweat and oil glands.
How to help:
- The senior should take fewer baths or showers, using warm (not hot) water, gently drying the skin, and applying moisturizer
- See if “dry bath” products work well for the individual; these cleanse the skin and hair without the use of water
- Try using milder soaps and shampoos, like those with Nizoral for people with special skin conditions, and always apply sunscreen prior to going outside
- Make sure the older adult drinks plenty of liquids and uses a humidifier to hydrate the skin
- Stay away from:
- Perfumes
- Smoking
- Stress
- Overexposure to the sun
Bruising
Bruising is a common issue for seniors, resulting from thinner skin and less fat and connective tissue that can lead to a weakening of the support surrounding blood vessels.
How to help:
- To decrease the inflammation and overall size of a bruise, place a cold compress over the bruise for approximately 20 minutes
- Try to elevate bruised areas as much as possible
- Encourage the senior to get plenty of vitamin C, which boosts collagen
- Help the person quit smoking, as smoking reduces collagen production
The caregiving team at Compassionate Care Home Health Services is experienced in helping with aging skin care needs, and we are here to provide assistance and support to older adults through bathing/moisturizing, inspecting for changes in the skin, avoiding bed sores, and more. Contact us any time at 877.308.1212 for more information about our senior home care in Traverse City and nearby areas.