Care at home for elderly skin conditions
What is involved in care for skin conditions?
Skin conditions can affect anyone of any age, but older adults often suffer from these due to skin becoming drier over time and less resilient. This can cause issues such as eczema, dermatitis, cellulitis and more, but our Care Professionals can provide regular skin care to manage these conditions and promote a healthy lifestyle which can have a positive impact on skin. Home care can help with:
- Adherence to topical medications for skin conditions
- Bathing and personal care practices
- Applying skincare products like moisturisers
- Continence care to avoid dermatitis developing after leaks and accidents
- Maintaining hygiene practices for those with mobility issues
Wound care to keep damaged skin from becoming infected
Why do older adults need help with skin conditions?
According to research, some of the most common skin issues found in older adults include itching, ulcers, discolouration, wrinkles, fungal infections, seborrheic keratosis (benign skin growths), xerosis (dry skin), bruising and age spots. Issues like incontinence and pressure sores are also common in older adults, and can affect skin by causing dermatitis or further irritation if not cleaned regularly.
Taking care of these issues and maintaining a healthy skin barrier may be challenging for those who suffer from mobility or dexterity issues, but visiting or live-in care can help. Our Care Professionals offer assistance with personal care (such as bathing and getting dressed) to ensure skin is cared for and kept clean.
Do I need help with a skin condition?
If you or a loved one suffers from a skin condition that causes pain, discomfort, itching or other symptoms, and you struggle to maintain skin health alone, then home care could be exactly what you need to keep your largest organ soft and healthy.
Our Care Professionals can assist with a bespoke skincare routine that suits you, from helping you manage bedsores or incontinence issues, to applying moisturiser to hard-to-reach dry skin (which is thought to affect between 41.2% and 99.1% of older adults), to taking over housekeeping so you can avoid contact with harsh cleaning products and irritants – whatever you need to maintain healthy skin, we can help.
How can we help?
We've helped thousands of families to stay safe, comfortable and happy at home. Whatever situation you're facing, or whatever the question is, Home Instead is here to help.
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Home Instead have an experienced caring team that far exceeds in quality anything we experienced from other agencies at this point of service.Steve, Client
Knowing that mum has caring and genuine people to help take care of her gives me peace of mind and mum looks forward to seeing the Care Professionals. Thank you for making such a big difference to both of our lives.Rebecca, Client's Family
Home Instead provide first class care. My care professionals are patient, kind and very reliable. I am very happy with the service they provide.Paul, Client
I have had my care from Home Instead for almost ten years and things just keep getting better. I can’t praise them enough.Kevan, Client
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How to get started arranging care for skin conditions
If you have been considering bringing in visiting or live-in care to manage a skin condition, this process often begins with a phone call to discuss your current situation and what you need. Then, our friendly team will pair you with one of our experienced Care Professionals who can visit and get to know you, while also discussing your skin needs.
We always work hard to pair every client with a Care Professional who matches their interests, respects their choices and can be flexible as needs change. Whatever questions you would like answered about arranging assistance with skin care either now or in the future, we’re here to help.
Why Home Instead?
Our friendly, supportive Care Professionals can help you manage troublesome skin conditions from the comfort of your own home. We are proud to be rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, with many of our locations also rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
From providing practical assistance with personal care to maintain skin health, to emotional support when skin conditions are causing distress, our Care Professionals can provide compassionate care whenever you need it.
FAQs
How can home care assist with elderly skin care?
A home care provider like us can offer professional support to address common skin care challenges in the elderly. Care Professionals can help with essential daily routines such as bathing, applying moisturisers, and maintaining proper hygiene. They can also ensure that skin remains healthy by monitoring for dryness, irritation, or any early signs of sores or infections, alerting healthcare providers promptly if needed.
Can carers help prevent dry and itchy skin in elderly individuals?
Yes. Our care Professionals are trained to prevent skin dryness by using gentle, fragrance-free moisturisers as part of a daily care routine. They can organise shorter baths with lukewarm water to avoid stripping natural oils and ensure proper hydration through diet and drinking plenty of water. They may also suggest using a humidifier in the home to keep the air from becoming too dry.
How does home care help with pressure sore prevention?
Care Professionals focus on reducing the risk of pressure sores by helping with regular repositioning, especially for bed-bound individuals. They can provide assistance with changing bed linens, using pressure-relieving cushions or specialised mattresses, and regularly checking the skin for any early signs of redness or irritation to ensure early intervention.
What can home carers do for minor skin injuries like tears or cuts?
Our Care Professionals are equipped to handle minor skin injuries with care. They can gently clean wounds, apply sterile dressings, and assist with regular dressing changes to keep the area clean and safe. They also monitor for infection, such as swelling or redness, and notify medical professionals if further care is needed.
How is infection prevention managed in elderly skin care at home?
Maintaining good hygiene is key to preventing skin infections, and Care Professionals ensure that the elderly individual’s skin is gently and effectively cleaned each day. They can assist with keeping the skin dry and moisturised, discourage scratching that could lead to wounds, and use breathable clothing to reduce excessive moisture. By acting as a vigilant second pair of eyes, Care Professionals ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.
Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards
Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.
Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.
In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.