in MD at 301-363-2580 or VA at 703-556-8983
main-ah-logo-horz-w_gradbox
 
  • Home Care
    • In Home Care
    • Parkinson’s Care
      • Aging In Place
      • Fall Prevention Video
    • Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
    • Post-Surgery Care
    • Respite Care Services
    • Overnight Caregivers
    • Live-In Care Services
    • 24 Hour Home Care
    • Hiring an Agency vs. Direct Caregiver
    • Plan of Care
  • Services
    • Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
    • Companion Care
    • Coordination of Care
    • Disability Care
    • Hospice Care
    • Personal Care & Companion Services
      • Grocery Shopping & Errands
      • Light Housekeeping & Cleaning
      • Meals and Meal Preparation
      • Full List of Home Care Services
    • Post-Operative Care
    • Respite Care
    • Overnight Caregivers
    • Live-In Care Services
    • 24 Hour Home Care
    • Full List of Home Care Services
  • About Us
    • The Assisting Hands Advantage
    • Careers
    • Meet the Team (MD)
    • Meet the Team (VA)
    • Our Caregivers
      • Mindfulness for Caregivers
      • Yoga for Caregivers
    • Useful Links
  • Testimonials
  • News/Blog
    • A MESSAGE FROM ASSISTING HANDS OWNER STEVE LORBERBAUM
    • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • Read our Newsletter
    • Newletter SignUp
    • Industry Statistics
    • Hospital Readmission Penalties
  • Cities We Serve
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda MD
      • Chevy Chase MD and Surrounding Areas
      • Gaithersburg
      • Germantown MD
      • Kensington MD
      • Olney MD
      • Rockville MD
      • Silver Spring MD
    • Virginia
      • Fairfax VA
      • Falls Church VA
      • Great Falls VA
      • McLean VA
      • Reston VA
      • Vienna VA
      • Northern Fairfax County VA
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us in Maryland
    • Contact Us in Virginia

Blog

Home Aging The Importance Of Skin Health In Seniors

The Importance Of Skin Health In Seniors

October 29, 2019Aging, healthy skinmjefferson
healthy skinNovember is National Healthy Skin Month. It’s so important for seniors to take care of their skin because they are more susceptible to skin infection and disease. Here’s a look at preventing serious skin conditions in the elderly.

According to ParentGiving.com, it is very important that the elderly take care of their skin because they are more susceptible to skin infection and skin disease due to the changes that take place to skin as we age. It becomes less supple, thinner and dryer. 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. A severe skin infection or nonhealing wound in the elderly can be very serious, even fatal.

Common skin conditions of the elderly

  • Senile Purpura — are the purplish spots that appear most often on the arms and legs due to thinness of the elder person’s skin and frailty of the capillaries and blood vessels just below the surface.
  • Stasis Dermatitis — is more common in elderly women than men; it is characterized by dry, itchy skin.
  • Exfoliative Dermatitis — is a more severe form of dermatitis than stasis dermatitis, and is characterized by excessive peeling and shedding of skin. It is of particular concern in the elderly because the severe itching can lead to infections.
  • Skin Infections / Infestations — bacterial infections and parasitic infestation such as scabies or ringworm are common in the elderly.
  • Cancerous and noncancerous skin growths
  • Viral skin disorders — such as shingles and herpes zoster.

Skin care tips for the elderly

In general, the elderly have special skin care needs because aging skin is so thin and dry. If it becomes too dry, it is prone to cracking and dermatitis, which allows for penetration of bacteria that can result in infection. The elderly should:

  • Avoid hot baths and frequent showers.
  • Use only mild soaps, and gently apply moisturizers to the skin after every shower or bath.
  • Take extra care to avoid developing bedsores, particularly for those who are incontinent or bed-ridden. These individuals need to be turned frequently to avoid pressure-sensitive ulcers. And it is imperative that absorbent products and catheters be changed frequently.

To promote good skin health, seniors should also:

  • Not smoke or quit smoking
  • Never expose themselves to the sun without sunblock
  • Keep properly hydrated by drinking more liquids
  • Use a room humidifier during the winter and in dry climates
  • Avoid hot and dry places, such as saunas
Previous post Diabetes In Older People – Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Next post Dementia Games

logo

assisting hands in Montgomery County, MD

Assisting Hands Home Care provides elder care services and senior in home care services for families across the country.
Maryland License # R3925
Licensed as a Residential Service Agency by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Health Care Quality. Serving Montgomery County, MD: Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, North Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Gaithersburg, Olney, Germantown, and beyond

  • (301) 363-2580
  • 4853 Cordell Avenue, Suite PH-10A, Bethesda, MD 20814
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube

Assisting Hands Office in Bethesda, MD

Download Our Brochure

assisting hands in Fairfax County, VA

Assisting Hands Home Care provides elder care services and senior in home care services for families across the country.
Virginia License # HCO-1837
Licensed as a Home Care Organization by the Virginia Department of Health. Serving Northern Fairfax County, VA: Annandale, Dulles, Dunn Loring, Fairfax, Falls Church, Herndon, McLean, Oakton, Oak Hill, Reston, Tysons Corner, Vienna and beyond

  • (703) 556-8983
  • 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 105, Reston, VA 20191
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube

Assisting Hand Office in Reston, VA

Download Our Brochure
Hospital Readmission PenaltiesPrivacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsAccessibility Statement

2016-2020 Assisting Hands Home Care. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED