Skin cancer is a huge concern as people age, and the truth is, you should be thinking about this while you are younger. However, as you age, your skin becomes more fragile and sensitive, and it can be easier to burn and harder to recover from. Seniors may not feel like they need to take their time to protect their skin, but the truth is, it is something they should think about every single day, and senior home care services can help.
A senior can still do things to protect their skin from the sun and the dangers of skin cancer. This is a cancer that is preventable if a person thinks about it every day.
Here are some tips on how seniors can protect their skin and avoid skin cancer.
Start with Skin Checks
If your loved one struggles to check their own skin, this may be something senior home care services can help with.
The best time to do skin checks is right after a shower when a senior is moisturizing or putting on baby powder. This is a chance to check for any abnormalities, such as new moles, freckles, lumps, and other things. Skin checks don’t need to be done every single day, but they should be done at least once a month to monitor how things are looking and even how they are feeling.
Senior home care providers can help remind them to do this and help them make a routine that involves regular skin checks.
Avoid the Sun When It’s At Its Highest Point
Going outside is healthy for an elderly person; in fact, they should go outside daily. However, to protect their fragile skin, they should avoid the sun when it is at its highest point. This is usually when there is little to no shade because the sun is directly above everything, which is the hottest time of the day.
It is harder to protect your skin during this part of the day, and it can be incredibly dangerous for seniors to be outside. Senior home care can help remind them to come inside and create a schedule that focuses on going outside in the mornings and evenings when the sun is lower.
Always Wear SPF
Even during the winter a senior should be wearing an SPF of at least 15. All sunscreen should be broad spectrum and water resistant to stay on even if a senior gets wet or sweaty. Tons of sprays and lotions, sunscreen that is meant for their faces, and other products are available. They will need to reapply every few hours.
Senior home care providers can help your loved one remember to put on SPF every day and pay attention to when it is time to reapply, especially if the senior is spending time outside.
Wear The Right Clothing
It sounds silly, but wearing a long shirt to keep covered will help protect a senior’s skin. The best thing they can do is wear loose-fitting long sleeves, but that is not always possible. If your senior needs to wear short sleeves, they need to always wear SPF.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Media, PA, please contact the caring staff at Optimum Choice Care LLC today at (215) 856-3339
Optimum Choice Care is a top provider of home care services in Philadelphia, Radnor, Bryn Mawr, Media, Exton, West Chester, King of Prussia, Wayne, Malvern, and Narberth, PA. We also serve Bucks County, Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County and surrounding areas.
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