Skincare is always important for your senior, but as she nears the end of her life it may be even more important than ever. If your elderly family member’s skin is irritated or is experiencing other difficulties, that discomfort can be distracting and upsetting for her.
Changing Positions Often Is Crucial
One of the biggest ways to protect and to take care of your senior’s skin is to help her to change positions often. This is especially vital in your elderly family member is bedridden or has such diminished mobility that she’s in one location for many hours at a time. Not shifting position puts her at a greater risk of developing serious skin issues, like pressure sores, that can turn into potentially dangerous situations if ignored.
She May Have More Trouble Regulating Body Temperature
When your senior has difficulty regulating her own body temperature, that creates more issues for her skin than either of you might think. She might find that her skin becomes itchy or drier than she expects it to be or than it has been in the past. Running a humidifier is something you might want to consider as well, especially if your senior having difficulty with dry skin issues.
Lotions, Creams, and Balms Help
Lotions, creams, and even balms all help, but it’s important to consider your senior’s skin and when you’re applying all of these types of moisturizers. After bathing the skin may be a little more receptive to moisturizers of all types. If you have to rub a lot to get the lotion or cream to absorb into your senior’s skin, that can cause irritation. If her skin feels sticky after application or the lotion doesn’t absorb easily, you may want to try a different one.
Ingredients Are Important, Though
One of the most important aspects of using any lotions or creams is that the ingredients matter a great deal. If she’s already dealing with itching and irritation, alcohol can make that worse. Also, “fragrances” typically aren’t broken down into ingredients, so you may not know what a fragrance blend is made up of in detail. Choosing lotions that have simple ingredients may be your best bet.
As your senior nears the end of her life, her skin’s needs are changing just as her overall needs are changing. End-of-life care providers can help you to understand what she needs and how best to help her, both with her skin and with other situations that arise.
If you are or a loved one is considering end-of-life care in Tucker, GA, please call the caring staff at Arcturus Hospice and Palliative Care today. Call 678-383-9973 today to speak to our care team.
Kate Gorinshteyn is the director of marketing at Arcturus Health Care. Arcturus is a fast-growing Hospice striving to provide the highest level of quality care to patients faced with life-limiting illnesses. Our goal is to make each patient as pain-free as possible and give physiological, emotional and spiritual support to both the patient and family. We understand that the decision change from curative to comfort care is difficult, and our team is trained to help you every step of the way!
We are proud to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.