The Importance Of Healthy Skin For Seniors
Practicing good skincare is a year-round responsibility. No matter your age, it’s important to practice good skincare tips in order to both prevent disease and maintain your youthfulness. This is especially true here in California, where our summers are arguably the hottest in the country. Make no mistake, sunscreen is a must! Skin cancer is easily avoidable if you always lather up. Seniors, it should be no surprise to hear, have to take extra special care of their skin.
As ParentGiving.com informs us, elderly people are more susceptible to skin infection and skin disease due to the changes that take place with aging skin. “It becomes less supple, thinner and dryer,” notes the website, “It injures easier and heals more slowly. As a result, seniors are prone to skin problems ranging from itching, scaling, and mild dryness to grave skin conditions such as infection and ulcerations.”
What Are the Most Common Skin Conditions of the Elderly?
The site notes that some of the most common skin conditions among seniors are senile purpura (purplish spots on the arms and legs), stasis dermatitis (dry, itchy skin, which is more common in women), and exfoliative dermatitis (excessive peeling and shedding of the skin). ParentGiving.com also lists scabies, ringworms, shingles, and herpes zoster as common skin conditions of the elderly.
The website goes on to advise seniors to quit smoking. While the negative health ramifications of cigarette smoking are widely known, one of the nasty habit’s lesser-known evils is its ability to significantly age skin beyond its years. It’s also important to stay hydrated. Especially on particularly hot days, you’ll always want a bottle of water nearby. In addition to being a necessity to live, drinking water promotes good skin health.
What Role Does Bathing Play in the Health of Seniors’ Skin?
It should probably go without saying that it’s important to keep skin clean. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, proper bathing is more important than regular bathing. In other words, seniors may not necessarily have to take a bath every day. However, it’s vital that they make some changes to their bathing routines in order to reduce or alleviate dry or itchy skin.
It all starts with using warm water – instead of hot – to bathe. Not only will the lower temperature provide a more soothing feeling, but it will avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils. Also, keep baths or showers to no longer than ten minutes in length. As well, seniors should stop using bar soap and replace it with a gentle, creamy, fragrance-free cleanser or emollient, says AAD.
Also Read: Taking On The Tough Task Of Preventing Slips And Falls In The Bathroom
“Pat water gently from your skin after bathing, but leave a bit of water on your skin,” they also recommend, “Having some water on your skin when you apply moisturizer (next step) helps hydrate your skin. Apply a creamy, fragrance-free moisturizer formulated for dry skin within 3 minutes of bathing and throughout the day. This helps ease the dryness and restore your skin’s protective barrier.”
Forward Day’s Shower Bay portable shower makes bathing a pleasurable experience for wheelchair-bound seniors. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn all about it. Give us a call at 1-877-593-4461 or email us at info@showerbay.com.
