Protect Senior Skin with These Tips

These tips can help protect senior skin from bruising, and heal bruises if they do occur.

You can blame it on the environment, changes in hormones, medications, and even the sun: our skin as we age is affected by a variety of factors, leading to thinning and an enhanced risk of bruising. As a result, it’s helpful to take proactive measures to protect senior skin from injury. Try the following tips:

• Rearrange furniture and get rid of any clutter to reduce the chance of bumps and bruises.
• Keep the skin moisturized, and always use sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or higher.
• Talk with the senior’s physician about the impact of any medications on the skin. In particular, the long-term use of steroids, blood thinners, fish oil and vitamin E can enhance the risk of bruises.
• Encourage the older adult to wear long pants and sleeves to provide an extra layer of protection over the skin.

If bruising does occur, these recommendations can help with healing:

• Place a cold compress gently on the bruise for approximately 20 minutes.
• Keep the bruised area elevated if possible.
• Make sure the senior’s diet incorporates plenty of vitamin C, a proven protectant against bruising.
• If the older person is a smoker, encourage them to quit.

If a bruise appears on the skin for an unknown reason, or if a bruise is large and painful, especially if a new medication has been started or if bleeding occurs in other areas, such as the nose or gums, contact the doctor immediately.

Contact Hired Hands Homecare, award-winning provider of elder care in Pleasanton and the surrounding areas, for more help in reducing the risk of bruising and other injuries to seniors with our highly skilled in-home care services. We can help protect senior skin in a variety of ways, such as:

• Preparing healthy, nutritious meals and ensuring seniors stay hydrated
• Assisting with skin care and other personal hygiene needs
• Providing transportation to medical appointments
• Assessing the home for fall risks and assisting with mobility to prevent falls
• And much more

Call us at (866) 940-4343 to request additional helpful resources and to arrange for a free in-home consultation to learn more about our in-home care services for seniors.