Sun Safety Tips Your Parents Need to Follow
Senior Care in Monroe NJ
One cancer is the most prevalent in the United States. Around 20 percent of Americans will develop skin cancer before their 70th birthday. If you’ve had at least five sunburns in your life, your risk of developing melanoma doubles.
The good news is that skin cancer is one of the easiest to prevent. Make sure your parents see a dermatologist and get their moles and sunspots checked. Dermatologists will map their moles during this visit, which helps determine if they’re changing in the future.
Your parents also need to use common sense when spending time outside. These are the sun safety tips that your parents cannot ignore.
Wear Sunscreen
Your parents need to use sunscreen when they’re outside. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher is important. Look for natural ingredients like zinc oxide to avoid chemicals. Your parents must apply the sunscreen around 15 minutes before going outside.
Once outside, your parents need to reapply the sunscreen every two hours. If they’re in the water or get wet, the sunscreen needs to be reapplied as soon as they dry off.
Sunscreen isn’t just for the arms, legs, shoulders, and back. Your parents need to apply sunscreen to the ears, eyelids, and any areas on the head and scalp where thinning hair appears. A hat is essential if your parent is balding. You also want to invest in a lip balm that contains 30 SPF to keep the lips from sun damage.
Purchase Clothing and Accessories That Protect the Skin
Invest in clothing that helps prevent skin damage. UV-protective clothing is an excellent way to keep the UV rays from reaching the skin. Don’t overlook the importance of accessories either. A wide-brimmed hat is also important for shading the face. Oversized sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays are a must!
Sit in the Shade
Make sure your parents avoid full sun. During the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., they should stay in the shade as much as possible. They do need to remember that some sunlight still reaches them in the shade. They still need to take other preventative measures.
Is anyone around to make sure your parents aren’t outside in the sun for too long? Do they have someone to remind them to reapply sunscreen? Can they apply sunscreen without having someone to help?
This is one of the many ways senior care aides help older adults age at home. When it’s hard to apply sunscreen to hard-to-reach areas like the back of the shoulders or the top of the feet, senior care aides help out. Call an agency and talk about having companionship services for your parents.
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If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Monroe, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.
The Care Street mission is straightforward and compelling: to provide a comprehensive range of the highest quality home health services in a professional and efficient manner that will enhance our clients' quality of life and empower families to keep their loved one at home.
Care Street has earned a reputation of excellence among hundreds of families, and is recommended by medical professionals and hospital discharge planners throughout the State.
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