5 Things A Caregiver Must Do To Avoid Burnout

Posted on April 28, 2013 by admin
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Caregiving is a complicated job, especially when one is the primary caregiver and has never had to care for an aging parent or spouse before. The complication comes in learning how to go easy on yourself and not allowing your new responsibilities to consume you to the point of physical and emotional burnout. Here are 5 simple things you can do to make things easier for you:

1. Educate yourself.
Find out as much as you can about the diseases and issues that your parent or spouse may have. Knowledge is a powerful tool in coping and you might also consider joining and support group.  These are both invaluable tools you will be thankful you acquired.

2. Take care of yourself.
Yes, I know you have heard this before, but do you really make the effort?  Put time to yourself on the top of your list of priorities and stick to them. Take care to get enough exercise, eat properly and get enough sleep. Make sure you have time to participate in things you enjoy and reward yourself for a job well done.

3. Allow things to slide.
Get your priorities in order. Your health and the health of your loved ones is the most important thing. Housework and meal preparation may have to be done differently and you may have to slow down and not be such a perfectionist in such matters.  Ge yourself permission not to be perfect and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

4. Learn and practice stress relieving techniques.
There are many ways to relieve stress and it would be wise to select one or two that you enjoy and then DO them.  Some may enjoy Yoga, some may only have time for a short meditation and deep breathing exercises. No matter what you choose, take care to add them to your daily routine.

5. Ask.
This is a tough one if you are usually the type of person who handles everything yourself. Bad idea!  Learn to ask for help and then enlist it. Delegate chores and duties to family and friends. There is no reason you should do this alone and it is unhealthy for you to insist that you can do it. You might even find that others would love to help but just don’t know how.  So make a list of things that friends, neighbours and family can do and call upon them to do them even if you think you can cope.  There may come a time when you really need their help and it is useful to know that you have them well trained already.

Finally, once you have managed to organize your life so that you have time for yourself and adequate assistance to help you, take the time to enjoy the remaining time you have with your parent or spouse.  You will cherish memories made today for a lifetime to come.

Article by: Rosemarie Charlton
Thistlecreek Health Care Ltd.

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A Care Plan for Ethel

Posted on April 21, 2013 by admin
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Contemplation #1
 

Often when I am conversing with a potential new client over the phone, I hear a hesitant pause when I mention that we provide a free assessment before we send any caregiver out to a new client. One such woman was quite indignant and declared that she had already had several “assessments” from other companies and she could assure me that her home was quite clean and safe.

The fact is that assessments are done not only to see where we are sending our caregivers – yes it should be a safe place for them to work, but that is not the essence of doing an assessment. A good assessment allows us to plan and prepare a good care plan so that we can advise and educate our caregivers who will be going to the client. In this way, the client’s specific needs are met and they will be happier with the service.

Let us take an example – totally fictitious in nature. Mrs Brown calls me up from Halifax and says her mother is 92 and lives alone in her home in Oakville and needs help but is resistant to care. All we can derive from this is that the old lady is probably stubborn and fiercely independent. One cannot assume that she is frail or in need of any help.

When I arrive at the house I am met by three cats rubbing up against my legs and the stench of dirty litter boxes in the basement. The house is clean, dishes are not lying around and the lady in question, lets call her Ethel, is quiet and resigned to this “assessment” which she obviously doesn’t want. Engaging in conversation with Ethel, I find that she is quite feisty and not in the least bit frail. She is angered that she was not allowed to renew her driver’s license and now has to catch a bus to the store, but other than that, she manages well on her own, or so she says.

We start chatting and I ask her about her hobbies and interests. She says she used to garden a lot, but her arthritis prevents her from doing many of the things she loved. I ask her about her daughter in Halifax. Ethel looks blank for a second and changes the subject. We chat for awhile and I suggest that she lets me send someone to her for just one day, for a few hours and she can call me and tell me how things went. I tell her that the caregiver can drive her to the store, can help care for the cats and prepare some meals for her. Her eyes light up at the mention of her beloved cats and she admits that she cannot always clean the litter boxes because of her aching joints.

Back in the office, we have a team meeting and discuss her needs. When she was making tea, I spotted that the refrigerator was suspiciously bare and noted that Ethel was a bit thin. We plan to buy her groceries, find out what she likes to eat and prepare some simple meals in advance that she can just heat up when she needs to. We agree that we need a caregiver that drives her own car, since Ethel has had to sell her car. We plan to take her on outings and escort her to appointments. The caregiver we send must like animals and not be allergic since these cats appear to be Ethel’s sole source of companionship. I mention to my team that I suspect Ethel has memory issues and perhaps is masking early signs of Alzheimer’s because she avoided the questions about her daughter and had a vague, glazed look in her eyes. I suspect that she was confused about who I was referring to and preferred to avoid the conversation altogether. The caregiver then, must be kindly and sensitive to her feelings and should be knowledgeable about Dementia.

We call in one of our caregivers, Desiree. Desiree has extensive training in dementia, helps out at the local animal shelter in her spare time and is a retired nurse who only takes on short assignments to keep herself busy. They seem to be a perfect match.

The day comes and Desire goes to assist Ethel. I get a breakdown from Desiree on how the shift went and all seems well. I call Ethel to see how she managed with her new companion and she is bubbly, excited and enthusiastic. She tells me how delightful Desiree was and how they went out to tea and had such a wonderful time together. I smile as she shyly inquires if she can have Desiree twice a week instead of just one day as previously suggested.

I smile because we have made one more senior’s life a little easier and more enjoyable. We have enabled them to maintain their independence, provided companionship, while at the same time have created a safety net for the old lady so she knows where she can go when she needs help in the future. This would not have been possible without a dedicated team and a thorough initial assessment to plan a customized care plan. A care plan for Ethel.

Article by: Rosemary Charlton
Thistlecreek Health Care Ltd.

 

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A Place to Feel Safe

Posted on April 17, 2013 by admin
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This is perhaps one of the most important aspects when considering ageing and retirement plans. Most of our articles are based on senior care in general, but today I would to address the plight of the Gay and Lesbian Community. I must confess that their situation had simply not occurred to me until an article was presented to me for review and it got my mind ticking.

There are, according to a 2006 consensus survey, 353 455 seniors living in Toronto alone and 2.6 of them are gay. This does not account for those who are still closeted or those who have returned to the closet. That means that there are roughly 50 000 openly gay, lesbian or transgender seniors living in Toronto. I use Toronto as an example and am sure the figures will be comparable in any of the major cities around Canada.

Why is this of concern to us? On the positive side, the gay community have an advantage over their straight counterparts in that they are often more self reliant, resilient and independent than their other senior counterparts, but the down side is a biggie. They are more likely to have limited or no family support. Often they have clung to lower paying jobs which were perhaps safer for them and thus may have more dire financial issues to contend with. Both these factors can lead to and exacerbate loneliness and depression, common ailments in the elderly.

Everyone needs to feel accepted in their social communities and gay people have suffered a life time of rejection, especially our gay seniors who never experienced the more open and accepting attitude found today with the younger gay generations. When these people consider retirement homes, they have to face the possibility of rejection all over again and many consider revisiting that familiar closet to avoid these issues. They fear that they might be bullied by staff and residents or that they will not have enough in common with their new neighbors. Let’s be honest, long term care facilities are organised on the assumption that the residents will be heterosexual.

While there are some initiatives out there which cater exclusively to the gay community, there are certainly not enough to support  the vast number of gay seniors living in Toronto. Then there is the question that these facilities are nothing short of segregated communities and that in itself might be seen as discrimination. The argument for segregated communities is that they are places where people who might otherwise feel ridiculed can live out their old age in a place where they can feel safe, secure and happy. Isn’t that what all retirement facilities are supposed to provide?

When reviewing senior care, one needs to look at retirement facilities and home care providers closely and assess whether or not they might be friendly to gay communities.  What kind of activities are planned? Do any of these cater to the gay community specifically? Can a gay couple move into a long term facility and be treated as other heterosexual couples are? This is probably unlikely, not because the facility is adverse to gays, but that the social stigma is still very prominent among other senior residents.

If you are looking for a facility that will accommodate a homosexual person, find out if the company has had staff training which might focus on the diversity of different cultures and gender orientations.

In Toronto there are a number of resources available: Fudger House, 519 Church Street Community Center and Sherbourne Health Clinic, all of which cater to diverse community services. In Oakville and Burlington, Thistlecreek Healthcare does not discriminate in any way and is happy to provide services to the gay community.

How does your company or facility measure up on diversity services, especially for the gay and lesbian community. What services or activities do you provide that make your company stand out as accepting to the gay community? We would love to hear from you, so send your feedback to thistlecreekhealthcare@gmail.com and we will do a follow up article on the responses that we receive.

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Avoiding Burnout

Posted on April 7, 2013 by admin
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Teddy Bear From Strangers
 

Burnout is  a real disorder and is insidious in nature, creeping up on you silently and attacking  when you least expect it.  We think we are in control and can cope with the demands of running a full time career, family life as well as caring for an aging loved one. Perhaps we might struggle from time to time, but we think we can overcome the demands ourselves. After all, this is our family and it is private and personal; strangers have no place in our homes. Right?

Wrong. Trying to cope alone without at least exploring your options and having a care plan in place for emergencies is doing a great disservice to ourselves and ultimately to the very people we are trying so hard to care for. Taking care of anyone close to us has its emotional and physical toll. We care for our children,  spouses and often it falls on us to care for our parents as well. The problem is that while juggling our own families, we also need to respect that our parents are adults too and have lived full and independent lives. While trying to honour them and respect their wishes, we have to at the same time, find ways to care for them without belittling them or sacrificing our own children’s welfare in the process. This is the common dilemma many family caregivers face whether they are aware of it or not.  It is this ongoing struggle which often causes burnout, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Thistlecreek Healthcare understands these issues and what it means to have a stranger come into your home to assist. The first step is to make enquiries and establish a provisional care plan. Find out all your options and the resources available to you.  Thistlecreek Healthcare offers a free consultation/assessment and it is often during the course of these friendly open conversations that vital bits of information arise that would normally not arise during a general enquiry over the phone.  For example, on the phone you might enquire about how much a caregiver costs, but in a one on one conversation, it might surface that your loved one wanders at night and gets violently aggressive in the evening. You are perplexed because Mom was always such a sweet and gentle soul. Perhaps you are embarrassed to admit this awful behaviour. We would explain that this can be quite normal behaviour and that “Sundowners” is a common symptom in certain types of dementia. We could recommend support groups to help you learn about the condition and we could give you tips on how to manage the situation. Most importantly we could arrange to send you a caregiver who has advanced experience and training in dementia to help you cope overnight and allow you get a good night’s rest, safe in the knowledge that your Mom is well cared for and is not going to go prowling down the street at 3am looking for her dearly departed husband. This is information you would not usually pick up on the average telephone call.

Even if you think you are coping just fine on your own, it makes prudent sense to pick up the phone and make enquiries. When you have all the facts and resources available, make a provisional care plan with relevant phone numbers for the time when you feel you can no longer cope. Help is only a phone call away and we, at Thistlecreek Healthcare, know we can help.

For more information on how we can help, call us today at 905 582 9519 or visit us at www.thistlecreekhealthcare.ca.

Article by: Rosemary Charlton

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Creative Solutions to Assist With Elder Parent Resistance

Posted on March 24, 2013 by admin
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No Mom, you can't go home, you have to stay here !
 

Those of us caring for an aging loved one know about resistance all too well. Sometimes it is beyond reasoning and begging to get our loved one to perform the simplest of daily tasks. You have probably experienced Mom or Dad showing signs of difficulty in managing groceries, eating well or going to medical appointments yet denying that he/she needs help.

Sometimes learning a different approach can make all the difference in achieving the results you would like for your parents. Success happens most often when families respect the elder’s right to make decisions and when all suggestions made are in line with the values of the elder. It is so easy for adult children to choose services or housing that appeals to their own likes without taking into account the parent’s value system or needs.

Sometimes the resistance might be during a simple event such as teeth brushing. We need to use creative ways to entice and introduce the action we believe needs to be done. The perfect time to introduce the event you will need cooperation with is when someone is in a good mood.

If you want someone to brush their teeth and they resist, tell them it is time to bring flowers or a new picture into the bathroom and tell your loved one you want their opinion on it. While there, you put the toothpaste on the brush and say “Since we’re in here, let’s brush our teeth now, so we don’t have to do it later.”

Loving a parent, respecting his or her dignity, finding the right combination of services to support quality of life and doing so without guidance and support, can be a journey of frustration.

Here are some other helpful tips for getting the care your parent might need:

  • Sometimes cost is the roadblock. You could pay the bill for the parent as a gift. All the siblings could chip in to pay for a driver or an emergency response system. It could be as low as $30 a month, or even a no cost government entitlement.
  • Negotiate: Avoid put-down language and sarcasm. Say, “I love you, even though we disagree on this.”
  • Explain that you are worried, so Mom or Dad can feel that this is being done for your peace of mind, not because help is needed. Use “I” messages in your communication, not “You should.”
  • If home care is needed, start small and increase the hours of help as tolerated:
    • Reassure your parent about protecting his/her privacy, fear of strangers, and fear of losing control.
    • Let your parent choose the day of the week and the time of day for help to come.
    • Hire a Professional Geriatric Care Manager to assist with the transition and supervise the quality of help.

If the resistance appears to be from a cognitive deficit, dementia or mental health problem, talk it over with your parent’s doctor. It could indicate that you will need legal assistance to take over the decision making process for your parent. If you are seeing neglect and feel your parent’s health or well-being is at risk, you might need to call Adult Protective Services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Fodrini-Johnson

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5 Ways to Communicate Better with your Elderly Parent.

Posted on March 10, 2013 by admin
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Samsung Gives Away Digital TV to Seniors Living Alone before Digital Switchover
 

In today’s world of fast paced communication, it is helpful to go back to basics and try to remember how our elders communicated back in the day. Communication is the critical factor in any good relationship and communicating effectively with the elderly can smooth many a rocky and frustrating relationship.

Our seniors lived in a time that was quiet and tranquil compared with today’s frantic and lightning  fast communications. There were no fax machines or computers. If you wanted to send a message, you sent a letter in the mail, known as snail mail today. If you needed to speak to someone urgently, you didn’t send them a text or twitter message, you got on the phone and had a long chat. You watched TV as a family and communicated with each in person by doing family orientated activities.  Sitting down together to a lengthy family dinner comes to mind.

So now when we are so rushed in our daily lives, is it any wonder that our seniors seem distant and detached when you try to communicate with them? Below are five simple and basic rules in the art of engaging our seniors in effective communication.

1. Take a deep breath and put your own busy life on a hold a few minutes. Take the conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly. When you speak, look directly at the person you are speaking to. Many elderly people have hearing issues, whether they admit it or not, and you might be surprised at how many unconsciously “lip read” when they are listening to you.

2. Let the person feel that you have their undivided attention. Even if you are in a rush and have to pick up little Jimmy from school in fifteen minutes, avoid pacing, glancing at your watch or texting while they are conversing with you. They would prefer 10 minutes of your undivided attention over half an hour with you looking like you would rather be anywhere but here with them.

3. Never rush your elderly parent. Take the time to slow down to their speed of comfort. When they were young, they could probably beat you in a race, but now they can only move safely at a much slower speed. Rushing them makes them more prone to falls and they feel agitated and distressed at being so slow. Pretend you have all the time in the world and break up outings over the course of a few days rather than trying to cram all errands into one session. Try to do some of their errands for them to minimize the length of time it takes to assist them with their outings.

4. Sometimes the best communication is silent communication. If there is some reason that verbal communication is difficult, as in a deaf parent or one with Alzheimer’s, try doing a task or hobby together. There are special puzzles you can get which have large pieces with adult themes, called “puzzles to remember” which are very good. Good quality time together does not have to involve complicated verbal exchange.

5. Finally the most important one. Never presume you know what the other person is thinking or feeling. Avoid finishing off sentences for them, changing the subject or switching the TV channel without asking. If your loved one is unusually quiet and doesn’t want to talk, give them time and let them know that you are there to listen when they are ready talk. Be ready to really listen and watch body language as well to pick up on what they are truly feeling.

When the elderly feel they can trust you, that you truly are there for them and that you are not simply paying them lip service, they will open up and engage more. No one wants to feel like a square peg in a round hole, but sadly that is the way our seniors often feel in the strange world we live in today. It is no wonder so many Seniors battle along alone, refusing help from well meaning family and friends.

Rosemary Charlton
Thistlecreek Health Care Ltd.

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Walkers, Rollators and Government Funding. How and Why?

Posted on February 24, 2013 by admin
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stuck indoors on a winter dayWhen a client or caregiver decides it’s time for a walker or rollator, it’s important to know how you go about getting the right equipment.  Not only is the right equipment important but so is knowing how and where you can get it and what kind of funding is available.  One quick note: A “walker” is a simple frame device with either 2 wheels or no wheels. A “rollator” is the 4 wheel device that has brakes and a seat and these are the devices you see most often outdoors.

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has a program called the Assistive Devices Program or A.D.P. for short.  This program provides funding assistance for people with a valid Ontario Health Card who needs mobility equipment for longer than six months.  For qualified people, this funding program may cover a portion of the cost of the equipment.

Qualification for the program includes being an Ontario resident and having the physical need.   That need is determined by an ADP authorizer who is usually an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist.  An ADP authorized therapist is the only medical professional that can prescribe and apply for the government funding.  Your family doctor can recommend a mobility device, but cannot complete the application process.

The therapist not only prescribes the mobility device but plays a key role in having the walker built to your specific needs and in choosing your product based on your lifestyle. While various retail professionals like the staff here at Shoppers Home Health Care can assist you with basic sizing and style choice, the ADP authorized therapist is the only professional who can access the government funding on your behalf.  Therapists usually charge for their assessment and their fees are between you and the therapist.  The staff here at Shoppers Home Health Care can help you find and set up an appointment with an ADP authorized therapist.

Once a therapist has completed their assessment the application can be brought to any approved A.D.P. retailer like Shoppers Home Health Care or others. The choice of retailers is yours. The mobility device can often be received either on that day or within a day or two.   Specialty devices can often take longer.

For the portion of the cost not covered by ADP, other funding sources, such as your insurance company, may be available to help. If you receive ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) benefits, Ontario Works, or are covered through ACSD (Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities), additional funding for the balance not covered through ADP may be available.

For more information or if you have questions feel free to contact Shoppers Home Health Care at 905-844-1445

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Brain Health and Aging

Posted on February 3, 2013 by admin
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Square off.

There is a lot of talk these days about exercising the brain to improve cognitive function especially as we age. Brain fitness is described as the ability to meet various cognitive demands of life and keeping your brain at its optimum requires a concerted effort on our part.

Some research suggests that brain stimulation can reduce age related cognitive decline and improve attention and memory in people over sixty. There are numerous computer guided brain training programs available today, but training your brain does not necessarily require a computer. Some studies have even suggested that the hands on approach can be more effective. Physical participation and doing things with the old fashioned pen and paper will work just as well, if not better than fancy computer programs.

Brain workouts will not only improve the functioning capacity of the brain, they also assist with many physical improvements too.  Regular brain workouts can lower blood pressure, improve cardiac output, reduce heart rate, provide better sleep, reduce muscle tension and generally increase vitality. So what does one do to train their brain and get it working to its maximum potential?

Physical Exercise:
Physical exercise stimulates good blood flow to the brain and helps to  encourage new brain cells and neural pathways. It significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and  protects against some risk factors in certain types of dementia. Even a daily walk will have significant benefits over those that do no activities at all.

Cognitive Games:
There are different areas of the brain that function at different times. By stimulating the brain through varied brain activities, you can expect to improve areas in problem solving, memory and  increase  general attention span. Typical activities would include crossword puzzles, word searches, card games, chess, sudoku or any activity that makes us think.

Music Stimulation:
Alzheimer’s patients have  been shown to benefit mentally from listening to music. Listening to music triggered certain memories to be recalled that had been otherwise forgotten. Parkinson’s patients also benefitted from the effects of music on the brain because music helps to release dopamine in the brain.  Sometimes people who have difficulty with mobility, find that walking is easier when music is being played as it seems to have a beneficial effect on motor skills.

Generally, music is thought to:

  • Improve memory
  • Control pain
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Boost IQ
  • Enhance creativity
  • Increase motivation

Creative Stimulation:
Creativity sharpens the brain, which can stem the advance of dementia in old age. The more new things you learn, the more use the brain gets — and the sharper it will remain. It’s often recommended that seniors learn new skills like painting or learning to play an instrument.
Not only are these hobbies fun, but they can also help to create new connections in the brain, which improve the overall strength of the brain and allow better memory retention.

Mental decline once was thought inevitable with aging. Scientists now know that’s not true, and the brain continually rewires and adapts itself even in old age. The worst thing one can do is become apathetic and sit in a chair all day watching the television.  With a few simple exercises and daily effort, we stand a very real chance of halting brain deterioration and living long, healthy and productive lives.

Article by: Rosemary Charlton
Thistlecreek Health Care Ltd.

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Savvy Senior Planning

Posted on January 15, 2013 by admin
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Old Man

When planning for the care of an elderly member of your family, be it a spouse or parent, it is prudent to have a plan ready to implement when the occasion arises because often when that occasion does arise suddenly, a family is often catapulted
into a crisis and that is often the worse and most stressful time to make sudden decisions. Too often those decisions when considered later were not always the wisest of choices and we may come to regret them. It makes sense then, to consider a point to point plan now and to be prepared later when you need to have the facts at your finger tips. Below is a simple checklist of things to consider when making up your plan of action.

Be Prepared:

Encourage your loved one to discuss their finances and make arrangements to meet with a financial advisor. When giving someone Power of Attorney over financial affairs, it might be prudent to have two trusted people to have a say over finances. Perhaps a family member and an accountant or lawyer.

Decide on a Personal Power of Attorney who will oversee the general care of your loved one. These two people, the financial POA and the Personal POA, should be on speaking terms, preferably friendly and trusted by each other.

Do your homework and find out what your options are in the event your elder cannot fend for themselves any longer, whether this is temporary or permanent. Open up lines of communication and discuss with your elder what their personal preferences are. Encourage them to be a part of the process.

Keep medical records and important phone numbers handy.

Time for Transition:

Often our ability to care for ourselves slides slowly and sometimes it is barely noticeable until an incident makes us realize this has been a long time coming. Watch out for warning signs so that you can prepare yourself and your loved one for possible actions to come. Some points to watch out for are:

Ability to cope in the bathroom. While it is not necessary to shower every day, make sure that they are able to perform daily hygiene effectively. This includes the ability to dress and groom themselves adequately.

Mishandling medications, taking the wrong dosage or forgetting to take them at all.

Loss of appetite and weight loss is common but take care that this is not because your love one will not admit that they find it difficult to navigate around the kitchen. Are they able to buy groceries or is there someone to assist them with the task.

Are they becoming frail and are accidents and falls becoming more common?
Can you make their home safer or do they need assistance?

Crisis Mode:

Should your loved one fall or be hospitalized, use this time to rally round the troops. This is where being prepared comes in handy. Consider your options. You should have names and numbers of organizations who can help at the ready and now is the time to give them a call. There are many organizations trained to help you at times like this when you need it most. Some handy resources you should have on hand are:

  • Meals on Wheels
  • Temporary Respite Care
  • Long Term Care
  • Transport Services
  • Moving Companies
  • Junk Removal
  • Cleaning Services

Settling Down Again:

Be sure to take time process your own emotions. Allow yourself time to collect your own thoughts and don’t be afraid to use help when it is offered. During crisis events the primary care giver is often the one who suffers fatigue and stress.

Take time to revisit the first discussions on the views and preferences of your loved one and see if they are being met as far as is possible. Remember to keep communication open and discuss what you are doing and why with your elder.

Visit often and take the time to share memories and daily anecdotes with your loved one. Probably the biggest fear they have other than being a burden, is that they will be forgotten. In time the new order will become the old and everyone will settle down in their new routines.

Article By: Rosemary Charlton

 

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Skin Lesions in the Elderly

Posted on December 29, 2012 by admin
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anziani

The skin ages as does the rest of our bodies and is often neglected. Although we cannot stop the aging process, we can improve the general condition of the skin with vigilant care. Poor skin and unsightly skin conditions play a role in a our general well being and how we feel about ourselves. They may also pose a serious health risk and if left unchecked or ignores can result in long term disability and even death.

So what is considered normal and what conditions are dangerous?  To answer this adequately we need to discuss the aging skin and how we can resolve most conditions ourselves with a little tender loving care.

No skin condition is normal. Some may be more common with aging, and therefore because they are common, some may call them “normal”. Some can be treated and many can be prevented. It is when the skin is neglected that problems which can be life threatening can occur.

Normal changes in the aging skin include thinning of the skin, giving the appearance of paper-like translucent skin, often dark spots appear on the hands and face and many people experience dryness of the skin.  The simplest way to take care of “normal” aging is to reduce the use of harsh soaps, use a good emollient to replenish dry skin and most importantly to stay out direct sunlight at any age.

Because the skin is thin and there is little fat underneath it, older people are very prone to bruising so extra care needs to be taken to avoid unnecessary knocks, bumps and scratches. Wearing long pants and socks will protect the shins, while avoiding sharp jewelry in rings and watches can limit the number of scratches on the hands and arms.

Lesions are common in older people and it is important to observe and know the difference between something that is harmless and that which requires medical attention.  Below is a simplified list of common skin lesions.

Keratosis – this is a dry, scaly, wart like lesion and often appear on the hands, forearms and face.  Generally considered harmless but can be removed by your Family Practitioner if unsightly.

Solar Keratosis – small, wart-like, red or flesh coloured, they can appear on exposed parts of the body which have been damaged by the sun over the years. They usually are not harmful and require no treatment.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma – is more common in men than in women.  It is caused by sun damaged skin and needs to be surgically removed.

Basal Cell Carcinoma – also known as a “rodent ulcer”, is the most common type of skin cancer found primarily on the face in caucasian people. This will need to be surgically removed and because there is a risk of it spreading to other areas of the body (metastasis), radiation is often also a requirement.

Malignant Melanoma – This is the dreaded skin cancer we are all afraid of. The best way to check any lesions we have is to watch out for the ABC’s   A melanoma is Asymmetrical. Most lesions have a fairly uniform shape to them but when it is irregular, one needs to take note.  The second sign to watch out of is Borderline irregularity.  This is when the edges are not equal or easily defined. C stands for Colour variegation. Most lesions have a basic colour to them, but melanomas may have two or more distinct colours. Finally D is for Diameter. Any lesion which is larger than the head of the eraser on a pencil, or greater than 6mm in diameter should be checked out by a health professional.

Always have any lesion checked out by your family doctor who will refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Those who get treatment quickly often experience much higher survival rates in the treatment of skin cancers. Never ignore a lesion as part of aging and this is one case where it is better to be sure and get checked out than to ignore it and hope it will go away.

Article by: Rosemary
Thistlecreek Health Care Ltd.

 

 

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