Why Seniors Need To Wear Sunscreen Daily
Personal home care at home helps establish healthy routines like applying sunscreen.
It’s very important for seniors to wear sunscreen daily, even in the winter. Seniors have very delicate skin that needs to be protected from UVA and UVB rays. When seniors don’t protect their skin, they can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. They can also develop discolored patches and other blemishes caused by too much sun.
Most people think that seniors don’t need sun protection during the winter when the weather tends to be gloomy. But even when the sun is hidden by clouds it can cause damage because seniors have such thin skin.
Seniors should be using sunscreen daily and wearing appropriate clothing for the season to protect their skin when going outside.
In the summer, seniors should wear sunscreen even if they are not going outside because the sun’s rays can be just as damaging inside as they are outside. If your senior parent has trouble remembering to apply sunscreen or physically finds it difficult to put on sunscreen, personal care at home can help.
With personal care at home agencies, seniors can get help with everyday tasks like moisturizing their skin, washing their faces, brushing their hair, and getting dressed.
In addition to a higher risk of skin cancer, seniors may experience these bad impacts from not wearing sunscreen every day:
Premature Aging
No one wants to look older than they are. Seniors who are exposed to UV radiation from the sun daily can age more rapidly. The sun can cause more wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and even sagging skin. Seniors who wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day will be able to look younger for a longer period. A facial moisturizer with sunscreen in it is something all seniors should have.
Personal care at home caregivers will look out for these signs and help seniors with personal care products and routines.
Sunburn
Because seniors have such delicate skin, they can get a sunburn even if they are indoors. When the sun is bright enough, and the windows are open, seniors may get sunburned just by being near the window. And when seniors go outside, they have a high risk of getting sunburn. Sunburn can be painful and cause skin damage. Wearing sunscreen every day can protect seniors from sunburn and the skin damage it causes.
If your senior parent does get sunburned, a soothing aloe gel can help relieve the pain and warmth of the burn. But if the burn is serious, check with their medical provider. Even a slight sunburn can be serious for someone older.
Personal care at home professionals can help seniors remember to apply sunscreen and care for them if they do get burned.
Sun-Related Skin Conditions
Skin cancer isn’t the only skin condition that can be caused by exposure to the sun. Seniors may be prone to certain skin conditions exacerbated by sun exposure, such as actinic keratosis (precancerous skin lesions) and photosensitivity reactions (skin reactions triggered by sunlight). Exposure to strong sunlight can also make conditions like eczema or rosacea worse. Wearing sunscreen can help minimize these conditions’ risk and control symptoms.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Personal Care at Home in Falls Church, VA, please contact the caring staff at Butters Home Health Care today. (703) 371-2113