May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to learn more about how skin cancer could affect your senior parent. Skin cancer is very common in seniors, so it’s important that your senior parent get regular skin cancer screenings. If your senior parent needs help taking care of their skin or checking their skin for signs of skin cancer, personal care at home can help.
Personal care at home for seniors is a specialized type of cancer to help seniors living alone with tasks like showering, getting dressed, and taking care of daily hygiene tasks like brushing their teeth and foot care.
Some of the facts about seniors and skin cancer that you should know are:
Older Adults Have a Higher Risk of Skin Cancer
The chance of getting skin cancer goes up with age. According to the National Cancer Institute, most people diagnosed with skin cancer are over age 65. This is because sun damage builds up over time. Even sunburns from years ago can lead to cancer later in life. Your senior parent should be getting screened for skin cancer at least once a year once they turn 65. Source: National Cancer Institute
Melanoma Is More Dangerous for Seniors
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It can spread to other parts of the body if not caught early. Older adults are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma and more likely to die from it than younger people. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this is partly because aging skin doesn’t fight cancer cells as well.
Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine
Men Over 65 Have a Higher Risk Than Women
By the time men reach age 65, they are twice as likely to get melanoma as women. At age 80, they are three times as likely. One reason may be that men are less likely to use sunscreen or get their skin checked regularly. If your dad hasn’t had a skin cancer check in a long time, schedule one for him now.
Source: National Council on Aging
Sun Exposure Over a Lifetime Adds Up
Many seniors grew up before sunscreen was widely used. Years of sun exposure without protection can lead to skin cancer. According to dermatologists, most skin cancer in older people is caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. But, it’s never too late to start sun protection! Make sure your senior parent is wearing sunscreen and a hat when they go outside.
Source: Plantation Dermatology
Many Seniors Don’t Use Sun Protection
Even though seniors are at higher risk, many don’t take steps to protect their skin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that less than half of older adults use sunscreen or stay in the shade when outdoors for long periods. Your senior parent should always wear sunscreen when they go out, even if they are just going to the doctor or going shopping.
Source: CDC
Skin Checks Can Save Lives
Finding skin cancer early makes it easier to treat. Doctors recommend that older adults check their skin once a month and see a dermatologist once a year. Look for new spots, changes in moles, or sores that won’t heal. Early action can help prevent serious problems.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology
If you or an aging loved one are considering personal care at home in Westmont, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today at (630) 964-9000.
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
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