Essential Skin Care Tips for Bedridden Seniors

While many seniors are active and engaged in life, others are completely or at least partly bedridden. Being bedridden presents its own collection of unique challenges for keeping the senior clean, comfortable, and engaged. 

What’s more, seniors who are bedridden will often have a limited ability to move around much. This may mean they need someone to turn and reposition them regularly to prevent bedsores.

Today, we’re digging into one specific challenge – skincare. If you’re thinking about becoming a senior caregiver or you’re already caring for a bed-bound loved one, here’s what you can do to keep their skin healthy and prevent painful sores.

Skincare Tips to Consider

Keep Them Clean

One of the most crucial approaches is washing the senior gently and regularly.

But, this doesn’t mean you need to give the senior a full sponge bath every day. You may simply be able to wash over problem areas with a cloth, using lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. You can also consider pre-moistened wipes and no-rinse cleansers to keep them clean with little effort.

Look for mild pH-balanced products here, as you don’t want to irritate the skin.

Also, it’s important to be gentle as you clean the senior. Don’t scrub too hard, as you can easily cause harm. Warm water is also much better than hot water, as the hotter water can irritate skin and dry it out.

Use The Right Skincare Products

Caring for elderly skin entails using products specifically designed for mature skin. This means cleansing using a mild, non-drying skin cleanser, a rich facial moisturizer, and body lotion to keep skin hydrated at all times.

A lip balm is also a must since seniors tend to have very dry lips. Choose a rich lip balm with a soft texture with a bit of “slip” instead of one that has a waxy feel. Avoid balms laced with mint or peppermint since these can cause a stinging sensation for seniors with cracked lips.

There are even specialized products designed for bedridden seniors, like barrier creams to protect the skin and reduce the risk of rashes.

It’s also important to talk to the senior’s doctor, as the best products will vary depending on the senior’s health and any medical conditions. For example, a senior who is prone to rashes may need a cream for sensitive skin or perhaps even something medicated.

Apply Products At The Right Time

Skincare products should be applied after baths or sponge baths, as well as in the evening before bedtime. If you take your loved one outside for some fresh air, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on their exposed skin.

Keep in mind that their skin is a lot thinner, making them more susceptible to sunburn, so make it a point to properly apply sunscreen no more than 30 minutes before heading outdoors.

Sunscreen may even be needed if the senior doesn’t go outside, like if they’re regularly exposed to sunlight through a window.

Pay Attention To Problem Spots

Bedsores or pressure sores are caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long, and these usually occur on the ankles, tailbone, elbows, and hips. Make sure to check these areas regularly, and ask your elderly loved one if they feel any pain.

These areas should always be kept clean and dry, so after sponge baths, make sure that your loved one’s skin is properly dried with a soft towel. Gently pat their skin dry, and avoid rubbing their skin to prevent chafing and irritation.

Keep an eye out for changes to their skin too, particularly discoloration or sores. Talk to the senior’s doctor immediately if you notice any issues, as even small changes could be a sign of a much bigger problem.

Move Them Regularly

The risk of bedsores means that bedridden seniors should be repositioned regularly, often every two hours or even more frequently. Many bedridden seniors won’t be able to do this themselves, so they’ll need hands-on assistance.

Change their position often, even during the night while they’re asleep to relieve pressure on bony areas of the body.

Remember to be gentle here, as the senior’s skin may be delicate and prone to bruising. The process can also be painful, so gentleness and patience are essential.

Choose The Right Mattress and Chairs

Using pressure-relieving mattresses and chairs can also help to reduce the risk of developing pressure sores. You can also use cushions to reduce the risk of pressure sores.

Finding the right products may take a little experimentation, as each person will have different pressure points and needs. The senior’s doctor may be able to help you determine the best product combination for their needs.

Check For Dampness

Also, make sure to regularly check their clothes for dampness and help the senior change into dry clothing to prevent sores from forming on their skin.

If they’re using incontinence products, change them frequently since these can contribute to sores and rashes in their genital area.

You may need to check incontinence products regularly, as the senior may not be aware when these are damp and need changing (or, they may be aware and too embarrassed to say anything).

It’s best to check often and act quickly here, as damp incontinence products rapidly lead to rashes and other problems. Remember to check the bed too. If the product leaked out onto the bed, you may need to move the senior and change the sheets as well.

Pay Attention to Nutrition and Hydration

What a person eats has a noticeable impact on their skin as well, which makes nutrition and hydration crucial for skincare.

Prevent dry skin by providing healthy foods that are rich in protein, such as egg yolks, salmon, herring, and mackerel.

Fresh produce such as avocado, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and squash can also help to combat dry skin, as well as nuts and seeds like macadamia, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and cashews.

Make sure that your loved one drinks plenty of water or fresh fruit juice which can help to hydrate skin from within. You might need to get creative if the senior doesn’t want to drink. Water rich foods can be helpful here, along with small cups and even dementia water balls.

Final Thoughts

Promoting healthy skin in bedridden seniors is more complex than normal, as they’re spending so much time in the same position. However, with the right products, regular turning, and vigilance, you can help keep the senior’s skin in the best possible condition.

That said, problems may still arise, no matter how cautious you are.

After all, our bodies do much better when we’re moving regularly – and anyone bedridden will have significant health issues. So, it’s important to be realistic. Do the best you can, but many things are completely outside your control.

Finally, remember to talk to the senior’s doctor regularly. They’ll be able to advise you on the best approaches for keeping the senior healthy while they are bedridden.

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