Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion
Introduction
Old individuals often experience slow but gradual changes in body organs. Skin is one of the organs that is severely affected by ageing. It is, therefore, essential to review old patients’ skin condition and health when conducting a complete body examination. Skin problems are crucial for the elderly because they protect the skin barrier and may lead to adverse health conditions among old patients (Malliaras et al., 2021)Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion. This discussion aims to discuss the importance of skin care in older adults and give some valuable tips on old-age skin care.
The discussion aims to identify the most severe signs of ageing skin, such as the skin thinning process and loss of skin turgor. In old age, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes fragile, with easy bruising and tear. Old patients’ skin has little sebum production, thus leading to a consistent dry skin appearance. Dry skin is, therefore, susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections leading to dermatitis (Lan et al., 2020)Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion. Old patients are susceptible to skin problems such as pressure ulcers, infection and skin cancer. This is due to reduced innate skin immunity.
Skin cleansing tends to make people feel good about themselves, boosting their self-esteem and improving their quality of life. Old patients often develop low self-esteem towards their skin elasticity. Skin moisture is one of the most significant conditions since it helps wash away skin infections and pathogens. Skin moisture also helps keep the skin temperature at equilibrium by absorbing the heat of vaporization. Older persons require proper skin washing with gentle and non-scented soap to prevent skin drying (Malliaras et al., 2021)Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion. In addition, older people must use sunscreen protective gear on their skin to prevent loss of skin moisture and limit exposure to direct sunlight whenever possible.
Diet and food are essential in ensuring we benefit from our skin turgor and health. Therefore, O and LD patients need a proper diet to help them maintain proper skin functionality. Good food for skin integrity includes fortified foods with Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and nuts, and vitamins A, C, and E (Wollenberg et al., 2020). Secondly, old patients should adopt proper physical exercise plans to help improve skin blood circulation and maintain skin strength.
Finally, quitting drug abuse and smoking also helps maintain good skin. Smoking and alcohol consumption cause early skin ageing and different skin infections. In addition, one must also consider the detergents used in washing clothes to avoid the risk of developing skin damage from coarse and nonabsorbent soaps (Wollenberg et al., 2020)Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion. Caregivers play a significant role in controlling skin problems and preserving skin health through proper education and patient follow-up.
Conclusion
The importance of skin health among older people must be emphasized through patient education and health follow-up plans. Skin care measures such as adequate water intake, proper feeding, protection from the sun, handling the skin gently, and carrying out skin check-ups regularly help improve skin health and increase the quality of life. ‘Healthy outside, healthy inside’ and taking lessons from the above Skin Audit can help older adults improve their health.
References
Lan, J., Song, Z., Miao, X., Li, H., Li, Y., Dong, L., … & Tao, J. (2020). Skin damage among health care workers managing coronavirus disease-2019. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(5), 1215-1216.
Malliaras, P., Merolli, M., Williams, C. M., Caneiro, J. P., Haines, T., & Barton, C. (2021). ‘It’s not hands-on therapy, so it’s very limited’: Telehealth use and views among allied health clinicians during the coronavirus pandemic—Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, p. 52, 102340.
Wollenberg, A., Christen‐Zäch, S., Taieb, A., Paul, C., Thyssen, J. P., de Bruin‐Weller, M., … & European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis/EADV Eczema Task Force. (2020). ETFAD/EADV Eczema Task Force 2020 position paper on diagnosing and treating atopic dermatitis in adults and children. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 34(12), 2717-2744. Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion
Caring for Your Skin and Essential Tips for Older Adults
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Code
Instructor’s Name
Submission Date
Causes of Loss of Skin Integrity among the Old Population
• Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
• Skin tears due to thinning skin
• Dehydration leading to dry, fragile skin
• Reduced circulation and vascular insufficiency
• Malnutrition or poor nutrition
• (Malliaras et al., 2021) Major skin condition at old age.
Loss of skin turgor
Loss of subcutaneous skin fat
Loss of sebum production and skin moistening process
Loss of elasticity
Loss of skin defensive mechanisms
(Lan et al., 2020)
References
Lan, J., Song, Z., Miao, X., Li, H., Li, Y., Dong, L., … & Tao, J. (2020). Skin damage among health care workers managing coronavirus disease-2019. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(5), 1215-1216.
Malliaras, P., Merolli, M., Williams, C. M., Caneiro, J. P., Haines, T., & Barton, C. (2021). ‘It’s not hands-on therapy, so it’s very limited’: Telehealth use and views among allied health clinicians during the coronavirus pandemic—Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, p. 52, 102340.Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion
Maintain skin Integrity among the old
Increased hydration of the old
Increased proteins and fats intake
Increased physical exercise
Increased Sun exposure time
Proper use of skin moisturizers
Avoiding quitting drug abuse and smoking
Proper diet such as fortified foods with Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and nuts and vitamins A, C, and E.
Constant follow up with a dermatologist.
(Lan et al., 2020)
Printed Educational Materials (PEMs): one of the most common dissemination strategies for communicating information to others (examples: brochures, leaflets, guidelines, publications). Research states that PEMs are effective for increasing knowledge and awareness about an EBP.
Directions: Develop one PEMs on importance of and tips for skin care and integrity in older adults
Criteria Possible Points
Choosing PEMs for patients:
1. Current literature regarding the topic/concise
2. Guidelines associated with the topic
3. Special considerations for the target population (clear delineation of the target population)
4. Any alternative treatments such as diet, supplements etc 25
Development of PEMs: Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion
1. Topic/Purpose
2. Relevant information
3. Readability (font, plain English/literacy)
4. Content
5. Organization
6. Tone
7. Appearance/Typography 25
Community Resources:
1. Local/State Resources
2. Sustainability 10
Appearance:
1. Flow of the content
2. Purposeful use of illustrations
3. Attractiveness of the material
4. Culturally appropriate 10
Content
1. What does the patient need to do and why?
2. Warning signs your patient should watch for
3. Treatment
4. What should your patient do if a problem occurs? 25
Overall Presentation Style
1. Layout neat
2. APA format with references
3. Evidence of use of evidence-based practice 5
Total 100 Caring For Your Skin And Essential Tips For Older Adults Discussion