As people get older their skin gets thinner and loses its ability to stretch. This makes it easier to injure. Once injured, the skin is less able to fight off infection and takes longer to heal.
Seniors also have fewer sweat glands, so they may find it difficult to keep their body temperature stable. Do you find yourself or your loved ones complaining about being cold all the time – especially their hands and feet? Fewer sweat glands attributes to this feeling.
Seniors also lose fat under their skin, so you may notice that certain bones stick out more including elbows, knees, shoulder blades and hips. Because senior’s skin produces less oil their skin often feels dry and itchy. Adequate moisturizing of the skin is required to combat this common skin condition. Aged skin also becomes wrinkled and develops brown “age spots” and moles. As a result, older people are also more sensitive to the sun.
Lastly, seniors fingernails are prone to becoming dry, ridged and brittle. This makes them break easily, and conversely toenails become thick and hard, making them difficult to trim. It’s is critically important that senior caregivers pay attention to these little details to ensure the ultimate care and comfort of their senior and elderly loved ones.
To Help Your Elderly and Senior Loved Ones Prevent Skin Problems, You Should:
- Keep their skin clean and dry, but don’t use too much soap. Soap dries the skin and will make any problem with itching or flaking even worse. Apply moisturizing lotion to any areas of dry skin after bathing.
- Encourage them to change position frequently to prevent skin breakdown. If your loved ones can’t change position by themselves, help them do so.
- Help your elderly loved ones dress appropriately for the weather. Dressing in layers is a good idea. Then, they can put on or remove a layer depending on how they feel. In addition, help them avoid getting sunburned. In Central Florida the sun is strong. Be sure senior and elderly loved ones wear plenty of sunscreen or wear uv protective clothing.
- Be very careful during client transfers. For example, it’s very easy to tear skin when transferring elderly people from a bed to a wheelchair. Take your time during the transfer procedure and make sure your client is wearing socks and shoes.
Remember…Watch For & Report:
- Signs of skin breakdown like pressure sores and skin tears
- Bruises or “black & blue” areas
- Signs of infection (like redness, swelling, drainage and skin that is warn to the touch)
- Rashes
At Comfort Keepers we seek to be a resource to you because we are Comfort Keepers caregivers and we are here to help! Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 866-333-4737.
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NOTE: The information presented in this article is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended
as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other medical
professional if you have any questions about any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment.
Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages, Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.
