Seniors often suffer from dry flaky skin that can make them prone to infections. Sometimes skin problems in seniors are caused by side effects from medication, poor diet, weather, or actual skin conditions. The rashes and irritations that seniors develop are caused by soaps and detergents that are too harsh for delicate senior skin.
If your senior parent has uncomfortable dry and flaky skin, or they keep getting rashes and irritations they may need to switch to a new soap or detergent. It’s also possible that your mom or dad is mixing up soap and shampoo in the shower and they are washing with the wrong soap.
Personal care at home is a good idea for seniors because it helps them shower safely. And a care provider can also make sure that your mom or dad is using the right products to keep themselves clean. If you haven’t talked to your senior parent about personal care at home before now is a good time to talk about it.
Be Moisturizing
The best soaps for seniors contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, or natural oils like olive oil or coconut oil. Goat’s milk soaps can also be very moisturizing. If possible, look for handmade soaps instead of commercially made soaps. Handmade soaps tend to be gentler on the skin. Soaps that contain oatmeal can be very soothing if your senior parent already has dry skin.
Be Gentle and Hypoallergenic
Choose soaps that are formulated for sensitive skin and are hypoallergenic to minimize the risk of irritation and allergic reactions. Fragrance-free or lightly scented options are usually better for sensitive skin. If a soap has a fragrance, it should be an essential oil or some type of natural scent. Chemical scents often set off allergies or cause skin irritations.
Be pH-Balanced
Soaps that are pH-balanced help maintain the natural acidity of the skin, which can prevent dryness and irritation. Baby soap is a good option for seniors because it’s very gentle and pH-balanced.
Have Natural Ingredients
Look for soaps made with natural ingredients and free from harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Natural soaps are less likely to cause skin irritation. Lots of stores and local markets carry handmade soaps, which are great for seniors.
Be Antibacterial
Even though seniors need gentle soaps the soap they use still needs to stop bacteria and help them stay clean. Antibacterial soap is necessary for seniors to stop skin infections and protect cuts, scrapes, or abrasions from getting bacteria in them.
Be Easy to Handle
Consider the size and shape of the soap. Bars that are easy to grip and not too large can be more manageable for seniors, especially if they have arthritis or limited hand strength. It’s also a good idea to have a soap glove for seniors to use, or put the soap into a soap bag that can be used in the shower so that your mom or dad doesn’t drop it.
Slipper soap dropped in the shower can be a disaster waiting to happen because it can make the floor slippery and cause your mom or dad to fall. If your mom or dad prefers liquid soap try mounting a soap dispenser on the shower wall so there’s no chance they will drop it.
