November is National Healthy Skin Month and now that the cold weather is moving in it’s a great time for seniors to revamp their skin care routine to accommodate the cold weather. Seniors need to be very careful to take good care of their skin because medications, health conditions, and the weather can all take a toll on the skin. It’s very common for seniors to develop seriously dry and flakey skin which can be very uncomfortable. It can also lead to skin infections and other problems.
Companion care at home providers can help seniors take care of their skin by making sure that seniors follow these tips to keep their skin healthy during the cold winter months:
Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration can cause the skin to get dry and sallow. It’s very important that seniors drink plenty of water every day. Especially during the winter when seniors are stuck indoors in an environment that is hot and dry they need to be drinking lots of water. A companion care at home provider can help by suggesting seniors drink water at regular times and make sure there is a humidifier running to keep the air from becoming too dry.
Use An Oil Based Cream
All seniors need to use lotion often during the winter months, but using the wrong lotion can make dry skin and other problems worse. Seniors should be using an oil based lotion or cream instead of a water based one so that it will absorb easily into the skin. A companion care at home provider can suggest good creams that seniors can use to keep their skin healthy.
Wear Breathable Layers
Seniors should wear layers of clothing to stay warm in the cold weather, especially if they are aging in place in a home that has a lot of drafts. But those layers need to be made from breathable fabric that will allow air to get at the skin. As the day goes by seniors will perspire and if they are not wearing breathable layers that moisture will get trapped next to their skin and cause dry skin and skin irritations. Any clothing that seniors wear next to their skin should be made from natural breathable fibers like cotton, wool, or linen. Linen can be a great alternative to cotton for seniors that don’t like cotton.
Avoid Hot Showers And Baths
Very hot showers and baths can dry out the skin quickly even if your senior loved one puts on lotion right away after they are done bathing. Showers and baths in the water should be warm or lukewarm and not hot in order to protect the skin. Elder care providers can help your senior loved one draw a bath or turn on a shower that isn’t too hot so that they don’t have to worry about dry skin as a result of showering. Seniors also shouldn’t shower or take baths too often in the winter.
