One of the things you help your dad with is personal care and hygiene. He has a hard time with bathing, and you help out. The first week of August is National Cleanse Your Skin Week. Are you washing your dad’s skin correctly or are the steps you take drying his skin?
As he ages, your dad’s skin becomes thinner and may be drier. He’s not sweating as much as he used to and collagen production is reduced. He needs a skincare plan that protects the skin.
Choose the Right Body Wash
A body wash that isn’t full of chemicals is ideal. He wants a gentle cleansing product that has natural moisturizers and avoids heavy perfumes. Plant-based oils, alcohol-free soaps are best.
A bar of goat’s milk soap or shea butter soap is a good choice. If he prefers a body wash, try unscented, hypoallergenic body washes like Cetaphil’s Gentle Body Wash. Rinse all suds away. Don’t leave any residual as that will dry the skin.
Avoid Hot Water During His Showers
When he’s showering, hot water may feel good, but it also dries out the skin. He wants the water to be just warm enough that he’s not shivering, but not so hot that it’s turning his skin pink from the heat. His showers shouldn’t take too long either. Ten minutes is a good goal.
Use a Soft Cloth
People love body scrubs and loofahs for removing dead skin cells, but the harsh scrubbing can damage the skin. Instead, get your dad a soft washcloth and use that. If he doesn’t mind, you could skip the washcloth or loofah and just use his hands. If someone else is helping him suds up, a soft washcloth may be more comfortable for him.
Moisturize Daily
After taking a shower, your dad should apply a moisturizer while his skin is still damp. Again, he wants a moisturizer that doesn’t have chemicals and alcohol. He could use something as simple as coconut oil or shea butter. Once the moisturizer is on, he can let his skin finish drying and get dressed.
You may find it helpful to have an elder care aide available for showers and personal care. Your dad may not be comfortable having you helping him, which can make him a bit resistant. Instead of struggling and becoming frustrated, call on elder care services to help with that aspect of daily care.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering elder care in Greenwood Village, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
