he winter season can be a difficult time for seniors with dry skin. While the dry air can make anyone vulnerable to skin issues such as itching and flaking, those with eczema and other skin conditions must take extra care to protect themselves. Use these tips to help your senior loved one protect his or her delicate skin throughout the colder months.
Lower Shower Temperatures
A hot shower may sound tempting when the temperatures are dropping outside. However, hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and can cause further dryness. Seniors should try to keep the water temperature within a comfortably warm range and avoid lingering in the water.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Vancouver seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
Use Moisturizer
Lotions replenish some of the moisture the skin loses when the air is dry. Ideally, seniors should apply lotion to their skin every time they wash their hands, and they may want to do it a few additional times a day. Seniors with extremely dry hands can apply a thick coat of moisturizer before bed and cover their hands with cotton gloves to prevent the lotion from getting all over the bed.
Put on Warm Clothes
Dryness is not the only skin issue that can arise during the winter. A senior’s thinner skin is susceptible to frostbite. For this reason, seniors should always wear gloves when they go outdoors in freezing weather. They should also keep an eye out for signs that their hands are too cold, such as redness or tingling in the fingers. If they notice symptoms of frostbite, they should move inside and warm their hands up slowly using a blanket or dry gloves.
Older adults who need help dressing or managing daily tasks should consider professional in-home care. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Vancouver Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Continue to Wear Sunscreen
Even during the winter season, older adults are susceptible to sunburns. Make sure your loved one continues to apply sunscreen before going outdoors, even if he or she is only going for a car ride.
Stay Hydrated
It is easy for seniors to become dehydrated during the winter season when they may not be craving a cold beverage. Seniors should try to stay away from beverages containing dehydrating properties, such as alcohol and coffee. Instead, they should opt for plain water whenever possible or try fruit juices. Decaffeinated tea or coffee can also help seniors get more fluids when they prefer something warm to drink.
Try a Humidifier
While you cannot do much about the dry air outside, your loved one can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in the house. Help your loved one set it up and keep it maintained since some models are prone to bacterial buildup. Then, allow it to run during the day or night so your loved one benefits from moisture in the air.
The winter season can make seniors susceptible to dry skin, the flu, joint pains, and several other health issues. Hiring professional caregivers is one of the best ways to help seniors maintain a high quality of life all year round, especially during the cold winter months. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Vancouver home care. Services our caregivers provide include transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To learn about our premier in-home care plans, call us at today.