Soothing Elderly Skin- A Guide for Caregivers

With the average life expectancy rising, it’s likely that many more of us will become caregivers for our parents as they age.

Elderly skin has special needs, and should be treated carefully.

The most significant difference in elderly skin is that it’s prone to dryness, which is a natural effect of the thinning of the skin which occurs in aging.

As skin becomes thinner, it’s less able to hold moisture, leading to dryness.

Extremely dry skin is a health hazard for the elderly, as dry skin loses its capacity to fight off infections and germs.

Here is a short and clear guide for caring for elderly skin:

Always keep the skin clean, especially on the feet, armpits, and in the creases of the hips, knees, and elbows.

• Bathe in warm, not hot, water.
• Use thick moisturizers and creams.
• Focus on pure drinking water as a beverage of choice. Some elders like water very cold (lots of ice) and prefer to drink through a straw.
• Use humidifiers to keep a regular level of moisture in the air.
• Perform regular skin inspections of moles, growths, sores, and skin which does not heal.

It can take a little bit of practice to implement these guidelines, but once you’ve done it, they are easy to continue.

Treat small skin problems early, to keep them from getting worse.

Seek medical advice or intervention when necessary.