Summer Hygiene Tips For Seniors
Personal care at home can help seniors stay hydrated, comfortable, and safe in warmer weather.
When the weather gets warm, it can be tough for seniors to maintain good hygiene. This can make your senior mom or dad uncomfortable and prone to infections and rashes. If your senior parent lives in a hot climate and struggles to keep up with hygiene tasks, they may need personal care at home services.
Personal care at home is specialized care designed to help seniors with hygiene tasks like showering, brushing their teeth, washing their hair, taking care of their skin, and getting dressed. As seniors get older, they may need help with personal care tasks because of arthritis, poor grip strength, or poor balance.
In addition to getting personal care at home, your mom or dad can use these hygiene tips from dermatologists and other experts to lower the risk of infections and rashes and stay comfortable in warm weather:
Stay Hydrated
One of the simplest yet most effective ways for seniors to keep their skin healthy is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin elasticity and prevents it from drying out.
Seniors should try to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Encourage your mom or dad to sip on cool water throughout the day. It will also help them stay cool. And don’t forget about foods that have a lot of water in them.
Seniors can get additional hydration from eating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, chilled grapes, and oranges.
Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing
Choosing the right clothing can make a big difference in skin health during hot weather. Tight or synthetic fabrics can trap heat and moisture, leading to rashes. Your mom or dad should have summer clothing made from cotton or linen so that the clothes breathe and allow air to circulate.
Wearing light colors is also recommended. Clothes should be loose and comfortable too.
Keep Skin Clean and Dry
Sweat and moisture can create the perfect environment for rashes and infections, especially in areas where skin folds or where clothes rub against the skin. To take care of their skin in the summer heat seniors should shower daily.
Taking a daily shower helps remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria from the skin. Use a gentle, hydrating soap to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils. Having personal care at home services can make it easier and safer for seniors to shower every day.
After bathing, seniors need to make sure they dry their skin completely, paying special attention to areas like underarms, groin, and under the breasts. Applying a light dusting of talcum or baby powder in areas prone to sweating can help keep skin dry and reduce friction.
Protect Skin from the Sun
Sun exposure can cause significant damage to the skin, leading to dryness, rashes, and even skin cancer. That’s why all seniors should be wearing sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 every day. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2-3 hours. If your mom or dad is going outside they should wear a hat and sunglasses.
If you or someone you know needs help with Personal Care at Home in Hudsonville, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 560-4057 for more information.
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