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Skin Care for the Elderly: 7 Useful Tips to Take Care of Your Skin in Your 60s and 70s
Your 60s is a period of reduced stress as you relinquish control over demanding commitments such as young children and work. Additionally, this is the stage when you have more flexibility to indulge in yourself and put your wants first. With less stress and more flexibility, this decade gives you more opportunities to keep your skin healthy and looking great.
Visible signs of aging do not have to mar an otherwise glorious chapter of your life. Understanding the current changes in your skin is vital to building the best anti-aging skincare routine for seniors. Slow down the hands of time with products that boost collagen, reduce wrinkles, and moisturize your skin.
Here are some skincare tips to help you achieve healthier skin and feel more confident as you blow out more birthday candles.
Understand Your Skin
While everyone experiences skin aging, women’s skin ages faster after menopause. The skin’s balance is disrupted when the production of certain hormones drops, which explains why signs of aging are more visible in women in their 60s.
Healthy aging-related skin changes such as thinning, dryness, roughness, sagging, and the appearance of age spots and deeper wrinkles and lines are unavoidable. Many of these characteristics are caused by the loss of firmness and elasticity in your skin.
It’s only natural for your skin to go through changes over time. However, external variables such as pollution, stress, and sun exposure might accelerate or aggravate this process. Your skin may also be more susceptible to common skin conditions affecting the elderly such as eczema, skin infections, and severely dry and itchy skin.
Understand your mature skin’s characteristics so you can use mild, effective, and natural products that address your specific needs.
Use Natural and Organic Skincare Products
Many conventional skincare products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like parabens, phthalates, GMOs, sodium lauryl sulfate, and synthetic colorants and fragrances. These carcinogens are known to have devastating effects on the immunological, reproductive, and endocrine systems.
Natural, organic, or vegan skincare products are less prone to trigger allergic reactions, inflammation, or irritations since they do not contain harsh chemicals. These natural skincare products rich in botanical oils, vitamins, and antioxidants often provide superior benefits.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
One of the most common causes of wrinkled, spotted skin is sun exposure. While sun damage may not manifest fully until later in life, it is never too late to improve your skin’s health by limiting your exposure to the sun.
Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above whenever your step outdoors. Seek shade, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV light is strongest. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight apparel that protects your skin from the sun.
Don’t Neglect Cleansing
Cleanse your face and neck at the start and end of each day as part of your beauty regimen. This will help maintain the health of your skin and stimulate skin renewal.
Because mature skin is more sensitive, use a mild, organic facial cleanser that is gentle on the skin. Consider oil cleansing instead of using traditional facial cleansers. Cleansing oils are a form of multi-purpose facial wash that purifies and hydrates your skin at the same time.
Don’t Take Too Long in the Shower or Tub
Taking a bath or shower can help soothe dry, itchy skin, but remember to keep it short. While a hot bath may be a wonderful way to unwind, you risk drying out your skin if you spend too long in the tub.
Wash with a mild, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap or body wash to help reduce dryness. Avoid using hot water as it can dehydrate your skin and contribute to its dryness—use warm water instead. Finally, apply a good moisturizer formulated for dry skin while your skin is still damp.
Exfoliate Gently
When you reach your 60s, it is important to gently exfoliate your skin to boost its ability to rejuvenate. Exfoliating also aids in the removal of dead skin cells, resulting in a more radiant complexion.
As previously stated, your skin is thinner and more fragile, so use a mild, organic face and body scrub and gently massage it over your skin in circular motions. Don’t apply too much force as this may easily lead to more fine lines and worsen the situation of sagging skin. Additionally, limit your exfoliating routine to every 10 to 14 days.
Hydrate More
Stay properly hydrated both inside and outside. Consuming sufficient water throughout the day may be a difficult habit to form for anyone, but keep in mind how critical it is to stay hydrated and how it can impact your skin.
Skin tends to become dull and dehydrated when you reach your 60s. If you want to keep your skin bright and supple, drink more water and apply a deeply moisturizing cream every morning and evening. Doing so will help reduce the appearance of pronounced wrinkles and restore your skin’s freshness, radiance, and suppleness.
Age Gracefully in Your 60s and Beyond
Consider this stage of your life as an opportunity to look and feel great about yourself. Embrace your wrinkles and be proud of the accomplishments you’ve made throughout the decades. Adopt an effective skincare routine, a healthy lifestyle, and a happy outlook to make aging gracefully a breeze.
Guest Blog: Hiring an In-Home Caregiver: What You Need to Know
When looking for an in-home caregiver for your loved one, it’s a given you would prefer someone they can get along with really well and will do a great job of taking care of them. However, finding this home care option for your senior loved one can be challenging at times.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of tips you can follow to ensure you find the perfect person for the job. The following tips should get your search off to a fantastic start:
Create a clear job description
To come up with a clear job description, identify what your elderly loved one’s needs are. A clear and specific job description can help you determine the flexibility needed, the number of hours they’ll be looking after your loved one, and how much you are likely to pay.
Be flexible when hiring independently
If you want to find great candidates, you need to be flexible about the pay. It is also recommended that you offer the going rate in your area. Otherwise, you might not find applicants with the care skills you are looking for.
Conduct multiple interviews and a trial period
To get more insights about a candidate, consider conducting three interviews:
- A short screening interview over the phone to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.
- An in-person interview if they pass the phone screening.
- An in-person interview where the top 2 candidates can also meet your elderly loved one.
Ask all the important questions during the interview
Asking all the right questions can help you find someone responsible, compassionate, and trustworthy. It would also be a good idea to ask what they’ll do in a specific situation. For instance, what they would do if your elderly loved one refuses medications or does not cooperate.
Check their references
Even if you find a candidate very impressive, it is ideal that you still do a background check. You can do this by calling the work references they have provided. You can ask if they do a good job and if they’ll hire the candidate again.
Conclusion
While finding the best in-home caregiver can be challenging, it can be done. As long as you prepare accordingly and cover all the essential bases, you’ll find the right person for the job with ease.
Guest Blog: How Electronic Health Care Is Better For You
Did you know that your health information is as personal and sensitive as your medical records? Did you also know that anyone could access this information online, even if it’s not public yet? If you or a loved one has been in the hospital recently, or has had any tests done, there’s a good chance you have private patient information available to view on the Internet. This information may be accessible because healthcare institutions often do not protect patient data with security measures. Many hospitals, clinics and medical offices are not safeguarding patients’ electronic health records (EHRs) with password protections and other security features. As a result, hackers can easily access this information without permission. In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know about being cautious of your health care data.
What is Electronic Health Information?
Electronic health information (EHI) is the data that is created and maintained in digital format by physicians, hospitals and others who provide health care. This includes all health-related instructions, observations, diagnoses, allergies, procedures and any other information providers write into patients’ medical records like diet plan for diabetic patient etc. EHI can include demographic information, medical histories, test results, medications, allergies and even lab-drawn blood-type.
Why Is Electronic Health Information so Important?
Electronic health records (EHRs) are digital records that keep track of your medical history. They contain information from your doctor visits, hospital stays, tests and more. The EHR system was created to help physicians provide better care and better understand your medical history. The system also allows for easier record-keeping for all parties involved in your care. EHRs can help you get the best care from your doctor because doctors can access your entire health history. They can also help you get better care if you go to a different doctor by providing your entire medical history to them. EHRs can also help you take better care of yourself because you can view your entire medical history online at any time. You can also print out information to bring to your doctor’s appointments.
Why is your Electronic Health Information Important?
Your health information is an extremely sensitive and important part of your life. It includes all of the details related to your health, treatments and conditions. Your health information is subject to specific privacy laws that are designed to protect your information. If anyone (including a doctor or an insurance company) were to view or misuse your information, it could be extremely harmful. Your health information is important to you personally and financially. For example, it can help you get the care you need like IVF treatment etc, keep you covered by health insurance, and manage your overall health. In addition, if you share your information with others, it could help them provide better care for you. It could also help them better understand you and your medical history.
How You Can Find & View Your Own Electronic Health Record
You can find your own EHR on websites such as HealthHound, or web portals such as Google Health. You can also ask your health care provider or insurance company if they have a portal where you can view your own EHR. If you want to see your medical records in person, you may be able to do so at a medical office or clinic. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to request to view your EHR through government websites, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) website.
3 Ways that People Might Be Seeing Your Private Healthcare Data Online
If you or a loved one has been in the hospital recently, or has had any tests done, there’s a good chance you have private patient information available to view on the Internet. This information may be accessible because healthcare institutions often do not protect patient data with security measures. Hackers can easily access this information without permission. They can also sell this data to unscrupulous individuals or companies. In this case, people might be able to access your private information through nefarious websites such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. People or organizations can also breach healthcare data through hacking. Many hospitals, clinics and medical offices are not safeguarding patients’ EHRs with password protections and other security features. As a result, hackers can breach the data remotely and access private information.
What Should You Do if You See a Breached Record of Yourself?
If you see your own EHR on a website you should report it immediately. You can also contact your doctor’s office and ask them to report it. You should also contact the website administrator or the hosting company and ask them to remove your medical information.
Conclusion
Depending on where you live and where you receive medical care, your medical records may be online. If you ever have a serious medical condition, it’s likely that a doctor will write your information into an electronic health record (EHR). This means that your information is also on the internet, even if you don’t see it. You may be able to access and view your own EHR through commercial websites or portals. If you ever see your own EHR online, you should report it immediately. You can also contact your doctor’s office and ask them to report it. You should also contact the website administrator or the hosting company and ask them to remove your medical information
Five Eye Health Tips for Maintaining Long-Life Vision
As you age, so do your eyes. It is a simple fact of life, however, age related vision problems don’t need to be a lifestyle changer. Knowing what’s to come and how you can maintain your vision for the long haul is an essential first step, according to the American Optometric Association.
As you approach 60 years young, it is vital to pay more attention to the warning signs of age-related vision issues. Vision problems as you get older can be acute or chronic, but knowing how to steer clear of them is probably at the top of your list.
Making significant lifestyle choices and getting regular eye exams will help keep you focused on your eye health. Let’s face it, visiting your optometrist is more fun than seeing your dentist or primary physician. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can keep your vision strong, no matter your age.
- Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly for Optimal Eye Health
There are some pretty unfavorable eye diseases you may be at risk for, especially if you skip your eye exams. In order to keep your vision as keen as a 20 year olds, visiting your optometrist regularly is vital.
In fact, an article published in academic journal, American Family Physician (1999) found several common causes of vision loss in the elderly. The vision debilitating eye diseases you may be at risk for include Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Diabetic Retinopathy, among others. Seeing your eye doctor will help you avoid these chronic vision loss conditions.
- Eat Right to See Right
What you eat directly affects your health. And the same applies for your eye health. Eating the healthy nutritious meals at least three times per day is one exceptional way to keep your focus on great vision.
Food loaded with nutrient rich vitamins and minerals, such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamin C, and vitamin E may help keep your eyes in superb shape. Those greens, eggs, nuts, and salmon are a great place to begin. You may even see a few pounds shrink away from your waist.
- Focus on Eye Health and Quit Smoking
Saving your lungs from smoking is also saving your vision from acute and chronic vision issues in the future. In fact, smoking increases your risk for cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration.
If quitting your attempt to quit smoking continues to happen, don’t give up. Your vision as you age may depend on it. And if you quit smoking, you will most likely live longer, making it even more imperative to have great vision to see your grandchildren blossom.
- Look Cool and Protect Your Eyes with UV Sunglasses
If keeping your eyes healthy aligns with your fashion, even better. Wearing UV sunglasses may help protect your eyes from the sun’s powerful rays. Research suggests that too much UV exposure will increase your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.
Pick up some sunglasses with 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Protecting your peripheral vision is also important, so wraparound shades may be even better. There are even contacts with UV protection these days. However, sunglasses with UV block are best.
- Limit Your Screen Time for Better Vision Later in Life
Limiting your screen time is nothing new. In fact, mothers have been saying television ruins eyes for decades. If you want to protect your eyes, taking a break from so much screen time is essential.
This also extends to tech devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation suggests that the blue light emitted by these tech screens may trigger macular degeneration, among other health issues.
Protecting your eyes today may pay off big time as you begin reaching those golden years. And it is never too late to start living healthy to improve your vision. Most of the suggestions made by professionals can also make a big impact on your overall health. Stay focused when it comes to eye health, because seeing is an important sense to maintain forever.