Support of aging skin

• Use proper positioning, turning, lifting, and transferring techniques to prevent friction or shear. A lift sheet should be used to move and turn patients. If the patient is being cared for at home, make sure home health care assistants and her family caregivers understand these techniques.

• Provide a well-lit environment to minimize the risk of patients bumping into equipment or furniture.

• Make sure nursing assistants and home health care assistants know the importance of carefully handling elderly patients with frail skin. Any harsh movement or pulling can create a skin tear.

• Pad bed rails, wheelchair arm and leg supports, and any other equipment that may be used; this will protect the patient from accidentally bumping into a hard surface.

• Use pillows and blankets to protect and support arms and legs.

• Recommend that your patients wear long sleeves and pants to add a layer of protection.

• Use a soft silicone dressing with ReSkin technology on frail skin and remove it gently. Do not use dressings with too high adhesive; High adherent dressings stick too hard and will harm the fragile skin and new skin tears will occur.

• Mild cleansing agents should be used to minimize irritation and dryness; a mild cleanser should be non-alkaline to maintain the skin's protective acid mantle. Force and friction applied to the skin during the cleansing process should be minimized.

• Apply a moisturizing agent to dry skin to keep it adequately hydrated. Creams are better than lotions.

Important note: Moisturizing agents (creams, lotions) compromises the adherence of the soft silicone dressing with ReSkin technology. It is important that the skin is 100% dry before applying the dressing.