Promoting Skin Care for Older Adults

Home Healthc Now. 2019 Jan/Feb;37(1):10-16. doi: 10.1097/NHH.0000000000000722.

Abstract

Chronic conditions and age-related changes place older adults at increased risk for skin breakdown and damage to skin integrity, leading to poor outcomes that may impact quality of life. Although we cannot stop skin from aging, home care clinicians are in the best position to mitigate further skin problems and influence healthier outcomes for patients with skin issues. Home healthcare clinicians can improve skin health and well-being for older adults by incorporating simple but thorough systematic skin assessments at every visit. This includes identifying the patient's personal skin care practices and preferences. Home healthcare clinicians can intervene and address excessive moisture or extreme dryness of skin, use available resources for best practices in wound care, and educate about sun protection.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Home Care Services / organization & administration*
  • Home Health Nursing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hygiene
  • Skin Care / methods
  • Skin Care / nursing*
  • Skin Diseases / nursing
  • Skin Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents