Ageing Skin

Ageing skin is due to your skin taking on some changes as you get older – just as it changed during puberty and in your early adulthood.

As you get older, your skin becomes thinner and loses fat. You may be able to see your veins and bones more clearly. Your skin might look less plump and smooth as it once did. Years of being in the sun can lead to wrinkles and age spots. Your skin has a tougher time healing cuts and bruises.

Some of these things can be helped or prevented by the use of skin care, a healthy lifestyle, and a healthy diet.

The internet has made way for easy access to expert information on skincare. You can find out about products and routines to suit your exact skin type either from professionals or through people who are experiencing skin problems just like you are.

In this post, I will link to the website of Caroline Hirons, a skincare expert. She has worked in the skincare industry for years and has an immensely popular blog and YouTube channel. She has a segment on the programme This Morning and recently brought out a book all about skin care. Caroline talks candidly about what you should and should not be doing in terms of looking after your skin, for all skin types, tones, and ages.

Anti-Ageing Skin Care

The best anti-ageing skin care is to look after your skin when you were younger. Now that ship has sailed, the next-best thing, is wearing sun protection.

Using sun protection or SPF can stop your skin from burning, which can help prevent skin cancer. Protecting your skin from the sun can also help to prevent wrinkles, dryness, and age spots. You might think that applying SPF is only for when you go on holiday; however, the sun does affect the skin no matter where you live. It can even reach through the windows of your home, so it is important to make SPF a part of your daily skincare routine.

The sun has two ways of affecting our skin through ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. When you are looking for a good SPF, it must cover both UVA and UVB as well as having a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. There are SPFs out there to suit every skin type and every budget. Caroline Hirons covers some of the best SPFs here.

Almost all skin care companies will have their own anti-ageing products. You will be able to figure out what works for your skin, by using the same types of products that you have always used – such as cleansers and moisturisers. Caroline Hirons outlines some of the other things you should be thinking of doing with anti-ageing skin care here.

Three of the most important things to cut out are over-exposure to the sun, sugar, and smoking. Sugar helps to breakdown the collagen in our skin which leads to baggy and drawn skin. Smoking takes the oxygen out of the skin, which can lead to discolouration.

In terms of what products you should be using, Hirons lists SPF, Vitamin A, acids such as Glycolic, Lactic, and Salicylic, and Niacinamide. Vitamin A can help reverse signs of ageing, by rebuilding collagen and repairing skin damage. Acids are a liquid exfoliant that helps resurface your skin. However, you must be careful how much you use and when.

Following guides by Hirons can help you understand what you should be using. Niacinamide works to increase the fat content of your skin and help with water retention.

Elderly Skin Conditions

Elderly skin changes with age. That is sometimes due to external sources, such as sun exposure and through smoking Or due to the changes in our body such as the loss of fatty tissue. These things can cause these visible damages to our skin:

• Dry or rough skin
• Benign growths such as seborrheic keratoses and cherry angiomas
• Loose facial skin around eyes, cheeks, and jawline
• Thinned skin
• Being easily bruised
• Wrinkles
• Facial movement lines
• Dry and itchy skin
• Skin cancer
• Age spots
• Bedsores

Most Common Skin Conditions in Elderly People

It is not unusual for elderly people to experience many common skin conditions. In fact, the majority of elderly people will at some time develop a skin condition. So, as an elderly person yourself, or if you are caring for an elderly person, it’s important to be aware of these skin conditions so you can deal with them correctly.

Studies have shown that the most common skin conditions in the elderly are pruritus, eczematous dermatoses, infections and skin malignancies.

Eczema is a common skin condition that is seen by many elderly people. This condition can be very itchy and uncomfortable. The problem with Eczema in older people is that it can actually become very serious. If left untreated, it could cause blistering and cracking of the skin, which could bleed and become very infected.

Another common skin condition that affects elderly people is dry skin. While there are a variety of moisturizers on the market designed for younger people, older people often need extra moisturiser because one’s dry skin can become very cracked and irritated.

As a carer for an elderly loved one, your loved one may also be less able to recognize when they need to use a moisturizer – especially if they spend a lot of time in a hot climate. This can make it difficult for them to keep their skin hydrated and healthy. You can greatly help here, by being extra watchful. And by encouraging them to moisturise with a good moisturiser, as often as is needed. You can check out Caroline Hirons’ – the skincare expert we discussed earlier in this post – blog or book for more moisturising ideas.

Sometimes, the symptoms of dry skin in the elderly can seem subtle. However, if you notice a break out somewhere on your body, make sure to take it seriously. The last thing you want is a severe medical problem that can have long-term effects on your body. As an elderly person, you should be able to get a prescription from your doctor to help with any skin issues that you are experiencing.

Worried about your skin and are wondering if a skin condition is serious or not? it’s important to remember that it’s never a good idea to try to self-diagnose. Make sure to talk to your doctor, and do as they suggest. Also, as with any skin problem, if you see something that is out of the ordinary, don’t immediately jump to a conclusion about something being wrong with you.

If you are having trouble with your skin, don’t be reluctant to ask for professional help. Even a small skin condition can have serious consequences, if you don’t seek treatment right away.

Elderly Skin Care

The best thing to help with the above list is to prevent them from happening.

Through the use of SPF, a good skin care routine, a healthy lifestyle, and diet, you should be able to prevent such big changes in your skin. Checking your skin often for changes in spots and lumps, and getting them checked out as soon as possible, can help you catch skin cancer and other skin conditions early.

As your skin ages, you may need to look into new ways to look after it. You might find your usual moisturisers are not as effective, and find your skin getting dryer with age. Here, you can use a heavier lotion or cream to keep your skin from dehydrating. You can also use serums such as hyaluronic acid for your face, which helps to absorb moisture into your skin. Be sure you are drinking plenty of water also.

Bedsores are something that can happen if you are sat or laying in the same position for long periods. This can be a particular problem as an older adult. Or if you have problems with your mobility. Being sat or lying in the same position for long periods can cause a breakdown in the skin, and that leads to bed sores or pressure ulcers  – which can crack and become infected.

The best way to prevent bedsores from happening is to make sure you are often moving. Even just moving from one side of your body to the other. When you are moving, make sure to lift properly and that your skin isn’t rubbing on anything. It is also important to keep dry, as having wet skin can promote bed sores.

If you struggle with incontinence, it’s important you are changing – or getting changed – whenever needed, or every few hours. You can use talcum powder to keep your skin dry also.

Elderly Skin Care Tips

Skin care changes as you age will not only affect your face; you will find them on your arms and legs also.

Try not to take too many showers or baths as they can cause damage to your skin. Instead, wipe yourself or the person you are caring for down with a warm wet washcloth on the days you do not shower. When you wash, use soaps that are mild and not heavily fragranced as they can irritate your skin. Make sure you are keeping your skin moisturised to prevent or help any dry and itchy skin.

Also, make sure you are applying full-body SPF if you are spending time outside or near a window. Usually, while you are inside, a facial SPF should be enough. Remember to drink water to help your whole body stay hydrated. Changing your clothes and bedclothes often can help you stay clean and dry, preventing any skin issues.

During the winter times, our skin can become extra dry so it can be useful to invest in a humidifier for your home. This can also keep you from waking up with sore throats.

Elderly Skin Care Tips: What Causes Bleeding Under the Skin in the Elderly?

Bleeding under the skin in the elderly might be something called senile purpura. This most commonly affects fair-skinned older people.

With ageing, your skin becomes thinner and more delicate, which will allow these bruises to form more easily. Over your life’s exposure to the sun, the UV rays will affect the connective tissue that holds the blood vessels in place. This makes your blood vessels weak meaning that even a little knock or bump could cause you to bruise – leading to Purpura.

The Purpura appears as discoloured spots or patches on exposed skin such as the arms and hands. These bruises will heal after a week or so, but they may leave a yellow or brown stain behind. You might also have loose, thin skin that tears easily. Senile purpura is not harmful on its own but could be a symptom of an underlying condition.

If you take certain medications such as blood thinners, steroids, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, then you might be more susceptible to producing purpuras as well. Certain conditions can cause these bruises such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome, which affect your collagen and causes purpura.

Purpuras can be a side effect of certain cancers. A deficiency in blood platelets such as thrombocytopenia can cause bleeding and bruising under the skin, much like senile purpura. Purpuras can also be caused by accidents or injuries, diabetes, scurvy, or blood clotting disorders.

If you have begun to notice yourself having purpuras or strange bruising check in with your doctor who can run tests to double-check there is nothing underlying condition causing them. Purpuras will go away on their own but to prevent and protect them, you should wear SPF and keep your skin covered up. If the skin rips over one of the bruises, then you can treat it like any other cut. Your doctor may also prescribe a medication to prevent and treat senile purpura.

Elderly Skin Care Tips: Thin Skin Treatment Elderly

As you grow older, your skin becomes thinner due to sun damage, medication, or lifestyle factors. Thin skin can make you bruise or your skin tear more easily.

It is not always possible to prevent thin skin, but you can help treat it by keeping it moisturised and drinking plenty of water. Try to keep away from harsh chemicals as this can irritate your skin.

Using creams or serums containing Vitamin A, also known as retinol, can help normalize skin thickness and prevent your skin from thinning any further.

Making sure you have a healthy balanced diet will help support your overall health. Foods rich in Vitamin E such as almonds and avocados can support your skin’s health.

It is possible that certain medications can cause thinning skin. If this is the case, you should work with your doctor to find an alternative treatment plan. These measures will also help with skin tear prevention.

Elderly Skin Care Tips: Benign Skin Growths Elderly

Benign skin growths are common in the elderly. This can be in the form of seborrheic keratosis, moles, or liver spots.

If you find these growths or lesions on your body, it is important to get them checked out by your doctor to make sure nothing is underlying causing them such as skin cancer.

For the most part, these growths will be harmless. They should not need any treatment unless they become irritated by clothing or you do not like the way they look then you can have them removed.

Skin Hygiene for Elderly

What is Personal Hygiene and Grooming?

Personal hygiene is defined as the many practices that help you stay healthy. This is important as it can prevent you from catching or spreading illness and disease. And it can also help you feel good about yourself.

Personal care and hygiene include regularly and thoroughly washing your hands, body, and hair, and looking after your teeth.

Grooming covers things such as haircuts, trimming beards, looking after your nails and skin. Personal hygiene and grooming are an indispensable part of our daily routine.

Elderly Personal Hygiene and Grooming

Assisting Elderly with Personal Hygiene and Grooming

As you get older, it might become more and more difficult to look after your own personal hygiene and grooming. Suppose this is the case, then you could ask your family or your carer to help you with these everyday tasks.

They can help you get in and out of showers and baths, help you to wash, help you with your skin care routine, and help you with your nails and hair.

It can be helpful to have a personal hygiene checklist that you can go through each week to remind yourself – or the person you are caring for – about the different steps to take.

1. Bath and shower regularly – the amount might change person to person but about twice a week should be minimum
2. Good oral hygiene – keeping your teeth clean, flossing, and looking after your gums. Oral hygiene is essential, especially if you have any dentures that need special care
3. Skin care – using moisturisers or a skin care routine to look after your ageing skin, using SPF to protect from the sun
4. Care for your nails – keeping your nails short can be more comfortable for you and will also help you keep your hands clean and free of bacteria
5. Change and wash clothes, bedding, and towels – clothes should be changed every 48 hours even if you are not washing and the others weekly to prevent bacterial growth

Elderly Lack of Personal Hygiene

If you have someone close to you or are caring for someone who is elderly, then you might find that they have stopped looking after their personal hygiene. This can be a difficult conversation to approach but can make a huge difference to this person’s life.

There are many reasons why the elderly might stop taking care of their personal hygiene. These range from depression to dulling senses, and cognitive impairment to boredom. It is important to figure out what is causing this objection to bathing.

You may need to involve a doctor. Your doctor can then help with any treatment such as medication for depression that could help them get back into the routine of personal hygiene. If you have a good relationship with this person, then you can strike up a conversation about it. You could even organise a visit or trip out to encourage them to wash.

One of the most difficult things about being elderly and personal hygiene is the loss of ability and independence.

You might find it difficult to ask for help with washing and dressing but know that your family and carers are there to help you and want you to be happy. Taking care of your personal hygiene, doing your hair and make-up, and getting dressed can do a lot for your mental health.

And many bathing aids can help you take back your independence.

Elderly Bathing

It is estimated that roughly 70% of older people in the UK experience skin problems, a lot of which are preventable with regular bathing and skin care.

If you are a carer for an elderly person, approaching the subject of bathing with the person you are caring for can be difficult at times. The loss of independence might be a worry for them. However, bathing is important to keep their body clean and healthy –  to prevent the spread of diseases or illness. Bathing can also be a relaxing, refreshing experience. Your loved one will feel better after a bath/ wash, and you will find that them feeling positive again, makes it worth all the trouble 🙂

Why Bathe? Importance of Bathing

Bathing becomes a routine for you in your daily life. This can be very important as you grow older, especially if you or the person you are caring for has Dementia. If you have suffered from certain skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, then you might be used to washing fully every few days to protect your skin.

Bathing every day is not necessary for good health. Bathing about twice a week can be enough to keep your skin from breakdown and avoiding infections. However, you will still need wet washcloths or Body Wipes to wipe your underarms, groin, genitals, and feet daily. This will prevent any sweat build-up and prevent bad odour.

If you are worried about contracting Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) if you do not shower every day, there are a few things you can do to prevent them.

You can get into the habit of using moist wipes after you use the toilet, especially after a bowel movement. Moist wipes can keep you cleaner than dry toilet paper, and lower the risk of infections. Or you could double the amount of toilet paper you would normally use, then add a few drops of water to moisten them. These work just as well as wipes and can be flushed. Remember to wipe from front to back always!

If you suffer from incontinence, have your incontinence briefs checked every two hours and changed whenever needed, to lower the risk of infections.

It is not necessary to take a physical bath or shower. You might have mobility problems or the person you are caring for might refuse to go in the shower and bathe, so a sponge bath should work just as well.

How Can Elderly Bathe Independently? 

There are a few different bathing options for the elderly, some that will allow you to bathe independently through the use of bathing aids.

However, it can be useful to have someone in the house with you, in case you need any help. You can take baths – where you can sit down – or showers if you can stand. You can also get seats in the shower. If you have poor mobility, then you might need a lift/ hoist to get you from your bed or wheelchair into the bath/ shower.

If that is not possible, then you can have a family member or your carer give you a sponge bath.

Elderly Bathing with Carer/ Caregiver Assistance

If you struggle with stiffness, pain, or bad mobility, then you might need help when you bathe from your carer or caregiver.

That might be allowing them to help you to get in and out of the bath/ shower to make sure you do not slip or hurt yourself. If you are bed-bound, then you might not be able to go for a bath or shower, and may need your carer/ caregiver to wash you or give you a sponge bath.

If you are giving a sponge bath to the elderly you are caring for, here is a step-by-step guide for what you should do.

Some key things to remember:

• Gather all your supplies before you start
• Make sure your elderly is warm and comfortable throughout. Keep the areas you are not cleaning covered up until needed, and then swap
• Focus on one area at a time and change washcloths for each area
• You can find bathing products that do not water to clean them off, such as no-rinse body wash, no-rinse bathing wipes, and no-rinse shampoo#

Bath Aids for The Elderly

If you can manage bathing mostly independently, but are starting to have slight difficulties, then you might benefit from the use of personal hygiene products and bathing aids.

You can invest in long-handled sponges that allow you to reach different parts of your body without too much stretching or movement. Or flannel straps that allow you to wash up and down your back.If reaching your feet is difficult, then try a Non-Slip Shower Foot Scrubber. 

Elderly Bathing and Shower Solutions

There are several solutions that you can use when bathing or showering. You can have a walk-in shower or bath fitted that allows much easier access than other models. Walk-in baths and showers are useful for disabled people as well as the elderly.

Having grab bars put around your shower, bath and bathroom can help you to manoeuvre yourself around. Using a hand-held shower head on yourself or the person you are caring for allows you to control the stream of water. This is important if you are wary of water or showers.

You can also have bath or shower seats installed, either permanently or you can use a portable chair, to allow you or the person you are caring for to sit down while they wash. This can also be useful if you need help from someone else to wash you.

Making sure there are non-slip mats in the bath and shower, as well as in their surrounding areas can make bathing a safer experience for you or the person you are caring for.

As you already know, we strongly advocate for you to get your mobility and independence aids from your local independent aid centres. That allows you to try out more products before you buy. And to find one that works for you specifically. This is especially true with larger mobility and bath aids such as hoists, bath lifts and walk-in baths. It’s also easier and more convenient for after-sales services.

Conclusion

Looking after your skin is something that you should begin as soon as you can, as there are certain things you can help to prevent. But it is never too late to begin a skin care routine.

If you have been struggling with bathing, or with helping the person you are caring for to bathe, then hopefully you’ve found the tips in this post helpful.

Do share your views and experiences with bathing, as an elderly person. What’s changed in your bathing and grooming routine? And how have you overcome the challenges? Do Share 🙂