Question

As a person ages, their skin becomes fragile due to the decrease in water, elasticity, loss of tissue, and vascularity. These factors increase the risk for wounds of all kinds such as pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers, and neuropathic ulcers. Although there are many disease processes that may contribute to wound healing, a majority of wounds in the geriatric population occur as a direct result of pressure on bony prominences. What kind of education would you provide to the geriatric patient regarding the aging process and skin integrity?

Answer 1

Answer: Aging process causes many changes in the body as well as skin also changes. If proper care of the skin is not taken at this stage then it may lead to wear and tear, abrasion etc of the skin. The geriatric patients should be educated regarding the aging process and the skin integrity as they should include:

• Keep themselves well hydrated
• Take nutritional foods
• Avoid oily and junk food
• Include healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamins such as zinc, calcium etc are necessary.
• Using good moisturizer on skin
• Avoid direct sunlight.