Senior Snippets

SENIOR SNIPPETS - SKIN CARE TIPS FOR SENIORS

By Christina Uppenkamp - Home Instead

Welcome to the latest edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Christina Uppenkamp of Home Instead Dartford.

In this installment, we will be sharing some simple, yet very effective skin care tips for seniors.

As a person gets older, their skin tends to get more sensitive and thus needs extra care and protection. Eat the Right Foods: Everybody, including seniors, should eat foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These foods not only help the skin look good but also feel good.

Particularly helpful foods for the skin include: green vegetables, melons, berries, walnuts, salmon, and avocados.

Stay Hydrated: The sensation of thirst decreases in seniors, and therefore they are more at risk of becoming dehydrated. Drinking lots of water helps hydrate skin from the inside out, so remember to drink plenty of fluids every day.

Sun Protection: The sun will dry out the skin almost faster than anything else. Wear protective clothing when going out in the sun for extended periods of time and invest in a good sunscreen.

Avoid Harsh Soaps and Excessive Washing: Most seniors do not lead an overly active life and so do not need to vigorously scrub the skin on a daily basis. Washing the face with water or a mild soap is often sufficient. Purchasing a soft, mild bath soap is also a good idea, and make sure the bath water isn’t too hot!

Use a Good Skin Cream: Choosing a good moisturizing skin cream is a must. Such a cream should contain natural ingredients such as: vitamin A, vitamin E, aloe, cucumber extract and natural antioxidants.

Use a humidifier: Cold, dry air saps moisture from your skin, which causes all kinds of problems, including dryness, dullness, flaking, and accelerated aging. A humidifier can help prevent all these damaging effects, and help you maintain soft and supple skin.

I welcome any suggestions for future topics from you all. All you have to do is write to me at c.uppenkamp@dartford. homeinstead.co.uk or by post to St Fidelis House, St Fidelis Road, Erith, DA8 1AT.