Skin Care for the Elderly

Bathing

• In many long term care nursing facilities, elderly patients are assigned one or two days a week for a bath or shower, and are washed up in their rooms twice a day on the days in between. The skin of an elderly patient does not contain as much oil as it once did, though, and therefore the temperature of the water should be warm rather than hot; if it's too warm, any oil left in their skin can be washed away, leaving their skin more susceptible to breaking open, which can lead to infection.
  You should also use a mild soap when washing them; this is not as harsh on their skin and helps prevent it from becoming dry. Some patients require the use of special soaps and shampoo  such as Nizoral; this is made especially for those who suffer from specific skin conditions such as eczema.

• Moisturize

  • Due to the loss of natural oils in the skin, it is necessary to apply lotion after a bath and multiple times through the day. When an elder's skin becomes dry, it begins to itch. The more he scratches, the more likely his skin is to break open, leaving room for bacteria to move in and infection to take place. Using a moisturizer regularly helps reduce the itchiness, thus reducing the likelihood of infection.

  
  
  

  Observe and Report

  • As you are providing skin care, you need to be observant of any changes in your patient's skin. From moles that have changed shape to a new area that has broken down and torn apart, it all needs to be reported immediately. The sooner she receives treatment for her condition, the better her chances are for a complete recovery.

  
  
  Read more: Skin Care for the Elderly | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5484310_skin-care-elderly.html#ixzz1ewIgcxhM

The 90-Plus Population Is on the Rise in the U.S.

The U.S. population aged 90 years and older (90-plus) is increasing and has distinct characteristics, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau, commissioned by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

Wan He, and Mark N. Muenchrath, from the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington D.C., describe the demographics, health, and economic status of the 90-plus population in the United States using data from the 2006 to 2008 and the 2008 American Community Surveys.

The authors report that 720,000 and 1.9 million individuals were in the 90-plus group in 1980 and 2010, respectively. Of the 90-plus population, 84.7 percent have at least one physical limitation, including difficulties doing errands alone (affecting 67.7 percent) and difficulty performing mobility-related activities (66.3 percent). The likelihood of living in nursing homes increased with age, from 11.2 percent of those aged 84 to 89 years to 19.8 percent of those aged 90 to 94. Women outnumbered men in the 90-plus group and constituted 74.1 percent of that population. Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians constituted 88.1, 7.6, 4, and 2.2 percent of the 90-plus population, respectively. The 90-plus were almost universally covered by insurance, and had an annual median income of $14,760, which is higher for men than women ($20,133 versus $13,580). Social security represented 47.9 percent of total personal income.

Recognizing Suicidal Behavior

Well, with the holidays and winter right around the corner, I know I will soon see a lot more than usual of depressed people coming as patients. So I thought I would post some of the warning signs of suicidal behavior to look out for.

Who is most likely to commit suicide?

Suicide rates are highest in teens, young adults, and the elderly. People over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide. Although women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to be successful. Suicide risk also is higher in the following groups:

• Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
• People who have attempted suicide in the past
• People with a family history of suicide
• People with a friend or co-worker who committed suicide
• People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• People who are unmarried, unskilled, or unemployed
• People with long-term pain, or a disabling or terminal illness
• People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior
• People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization (This often is a very frightening period of transition.)
• People in certain professions, such as police officers and health care providers who work with terminally ill patients
• People with substance abuse problems

What are the warning signs for suicide?

Following are some of the possible warning signs that a person may be at risk for suicide:

• Excessive sadness or moodiness — Long-lasting sadness and mood swings can be symptoms of depression, a major risk factor for suicide.
• Sudden calmness — Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.
• Withdrawal — Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.
• Changes in personality and/or appearance — A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.
• Dangerous or self-harmful behavior — Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
• Recent trauma or life crisis — A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
• Making preparations — Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide.
• Threatening suicide — Not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. However, every threat of suicide should be taken serious.