Thinner, more fragile Skin is one of the most common effects of aging. Switching to a senior-friendly skin care routine is the simplest way to protect your aging Loved one. Since summer is right around the corner, use these tips to help your loved one enjoy the outdoors in the summertime while protecting his or her delicate skin from damaging UV rays.
1. Use Sunscreen
The risk of skin cancer and sunburn makes sunscreen an essential part of daily skin care during summer. Apply sunscreen to your loved one’s exposed skin about 30 minutes before going outdoors, and encourage him or her to use an SPF 30 lip balm often while spending time in the sun. Choose sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF, and use at least one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, of sunscreen to fully protect your loved one’s skin. Reapply sunscreen at least once every two hours while your loved one is swimming or sweating.
Excessive sun exposure can lead to various skin conditions in seniors. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of elderly care. Dallas Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
2. Minimize Chlorine Exposure
Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for seniors, but chlorine, a common pool chemical, can damage fragile skin. To reduce the risk of skin damage caused by chlorine, limit the amount of time your loved one spends in the pool to a couple of hours a day, and make sure he or she rinses off with clean water immediately after swimming. If possible, your loved one should swim in an indoor pool, as it minimizes sun exposure to reduce the risk of sunburn. Indoor pools often provide showers for rinsing off immediately after swimming.
3. Choose UV-Resistant Summer Clothes
Switching to UV-resistant clothing in the summer is an effortless way to protect skin while staying comfortably cool as temperatures rise. UV-resistant clothing typically has an SPF of 30 and lasts through several summers of use with proper care. Encourage your loved one to wear long-sleeved shirts whenever possible for better sun protection, and pair the clothing with sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Add sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat or a baseball-style hat to provide extra shade and protect against damaging UV rays.
4. Stay Shaded
Relaxing in a shaded location, such as under a tree, reduces the risk of sunburn. If you’re planning a trip to the beach or another location with little shade, bring an umbrella to create shade for your loved one. Preplanning picnics and other outdoor events allows you to choose locations with plenty of shade. Sunburn can happen even if your loved one stays in the shade, so try to limit the amount of time spent outdoors on hot, sunny days to protect his or her skin.
For some families, caring for an elderly relative can be overwhelming at times. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Dallas, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
5. Avoid Peak Sunshine
If possible, your loved one should stay inside during the hottest part of the day, from around 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., to prevent sunburn and other sun-related illnesses. Instead, your parent should spend time outdoors during the early morning or early evening, and you should try to schedule special events like picnics during cooler hours. With some basic precautions, your loved one can enjoy the warm summer weather while protecting his or her skin.
A compassionate caregiver can ensure your loved one enjoys spending time outdoors and stays safe during the extreme heat of summer. Dallas senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (214) 363-3400.
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