Skin Care Tips for Seniors

As your loved one has aged, her skincare needs have changed. Things she used to take for granted with her skin may no longer apply. Age can make the skin thinner, drier, easier to bruise, and more itchy. All of these can lead not only to discomfort but if not taken care of properly, they may lead to infections or pain.

Why Skin Care is Important for Your Senior

Dry, cracked skin can be a breeding ground for bacteria and dirt. It can also cause discomfort and embarrassment. Your loved one might not want others to see her skin so she might cover it up or refuse to go to public places. This can lead to feelings of loneliness or depression.

Fortunately, good skin care is often the answer for many of the common maladies that the elderly face with their skin care. With a little time and proper care, most skin can be returned to a healthier condition.

Skin Care Tips for Seniors

Let’s look at some easy tips your loved one can take to improve her skin. She might do some on her own, or she might appreciate the help of a personal care at home provider. Personal care at home providers can assist in reaching those hard-to-reach areas like her heels or back. A personal care at home provider can also help ensure the steps below are consistently followed so your loved one has healthy skin all year round.

Try a different soap.

The skin becomes more sensitive as we age so while that scented soap may have been great for decades, it now may be irritating your loved one’s skin. Look for a non-scented, gentle soap labeled as moisturizing for washing. Key ingredients to look for are lanolin, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to help your loved one’s skin stay moisturized.

Gently dry off when done.

Instead of vigorously using a towel to wipe away all of the water after a bath or even washing her hands, your senior should pat herself dry, being gentle on her skin. If she plans to use lotion afterward (always a good idea), leaving just a trace of water on her body for the lotion to mix with can increase the moisturizing she’ll receive from the lotion.

Turn down the temp.

Hot water strips moisture from the skin. While a nice hot bath on a cool winter evening may seem relaxing, it can damage the skin. Encourage moderate temperatures of cool and warm when bathing or washing.

Keep lotion handy.

It’s not a bad idea to have little bottles of lotion around the home so your loved one can continually moisturize parts of her body like her hands and arms. She should start and end each day with fully moisturizing her body. She might need the help of her personal care at home provider to get to those tough spots. And then having lotion nearby as she watches TV or sits on the porch will help remind her to routinely moisturize her hands as well.

Keep a humidifier running when the air is dry. This is especially important in the winter when homes are heated and the air is dried out.
With consistent care and attention, your loved one’s skin will be feeling and looking better in no time.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Osakis, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today.
Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us today at (320) 352-3350