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Keep your residents skin safe this winter ☃️
Senior residents are more susceptible to skin disorders
We have all experienced it, one day it’s unbearably hot and the next is blisteringly cold! Sound familiar…it’s the UK’s autumn/winter transition!
The harsh cold climate and dry indoor air during winter can leave our skin in a less-than-ideal shape. The harsh winter weather can be particularly damaging to sensitive older skin. Frosty temperatures and cold winds can quickly strip skin of its vital moisture, leaving it prone to itching, cracking, and bleeding. Broken skin is a recipe for infection. We have put together a guide of how to prevent senior skin issues this winter.
As we grow older, we will all experience normal age-related changes which cause our skin to get thinner, drier, and more fragile. Our lifestyle contributes to these issues such as sun exposure, weight loss/gain, diet, smoking, and stress.
6 winter skin care tips for seniors
There are many steps that seniors and caregivers can add to their skincare regimens to minimize discomfort and complications this winter. Here are the following essential tips for protecting senior skin this winter.
Moisturise Regularly
Senior skin loses moisture far more easily, and dryness can be a direct or contributing cause of skin conditions. Vaseline is a skin saver if you can tolerate the greasy consistency. It is important to check the ingredients within moisturisers as some contain ingredients that can dry the skin like alcohol. Moisturising residents after they have washed is the perfect way to lock in moisture. Following this step covering freshly moisturised skin with clothing can help aid in absorption.
Keep residents hydrated
That’s right, water! Most people assume dehydration is only common in the hot summer months but this is false. It’s important to keep fluids topped up especially when it’s cold. One way to check if a senior is getting enough fluids is by monitoring their fluid output. Care Control’s pocket app allows carers to input the amount of fluid a resident has and record the urine output level. Perfect for keeping track of hydration within your care setting!
Wrap up warm
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean residents should stay indoors. Fresh air and an outside setting does wonders for our mental health but we just have to be a little bit more careful with wrapping up. Before braving it and heading outdoors cover as much exposed skin as possible. We are talking scarves, hats, gloves, glasses, socks and big warm coats! The skin on your hands and feet can be vulnerable to frostbite and windburn, even when it’s sunny!
Sun cream
Sun cream?! We know you are thinking we are crazy but let us explain. Sun cream is an important skin care step even on a cloudy day. UV rays can easily reflect off of light surfaces such as snow and cause damaging sunburns. Even if every inch of a residents skin is covered popping a sun cream on the face and neck is a vital step in protecting their skin. As a care giver it is important to log any creams applied to a residents skin. With Care Control simply select the resident who you have applied cream to, tap the location on the body map where you applied cream and set an alert if the cream needs to be applied again.
Don’t let the shower get to steamy
There is nothing better than getting home after a long day and jumping in the hot steamy shower or bath…however, I’m here to ruin that for you! Long piping hot showers and baths can have the counter effect on the skin and cause the skin to loose it’s natural oils! Be mindful of the water temperature when bathing a resident or assisting them in washing their hands. Invest in a milder soap or other bathing products to minimise skin irritation and dehydration.
Humidity
Artificial heated air can be dehydrating. Adding a humidifier can add moisture back into the skin. It can also soothe dry and inflamed airways and scratchy eyes. Just be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions for usage, cleaning and maintenance to avoid breathing in any nasties!
Dermatologist
As much as we hope these tips would help we know that sometimes it’s best for a professional to step in. A residents doctor can make a referral to a dermatologist. A dermatologist specialises in treating skin conditions and can determine if something more serious is to blame. They can also provide medical treatments and ointments for quick relief! Our medication management software is designed to make administering medications safer, simpler and crucially, compliant. Medications and creams can be selected from our medication database saving you lots of time. You can easily track essential criteria such as prescription changes, when medications were administered and by whom, reports and audits. Sound good? Call us on 01822 738100 or click here to book a demonstration!