Major skin changes are one of the many features occurring with ageing and it is estimated that 70% of older people have skin problems (All-Party Parliamentary Group on Skin (APPGS), 2000). A report into skin diseases in older people highlighted that they were noted to suffer from a lack of sensitivity to their skin care needs and related problems; furthermore, training was lacking for healthcare professionals and service provision was not planned (APPGS, 2000). The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of skin care in the older person and increase the nurse's knowledge of skin changes associated with age.
Keywords: Dermatology; community nursing; skin disease; sking ageing.