Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer in Seniors

Edmonton Senior Health  |  August 29, 2019

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer

What is the risk of skin cancer in seniors? During the summer, most seniors want to spend their days outside. Summer days are for participating in fun activities and creating unforgettable memories with people seniors care about. However, seniors must protect themselves from harmful UV rays and practice sun safety.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and most of the time it is caused by ultraviolet radiation. Since the sun gradually damages the skin over time, seniors need to be extra careful when it comes to protecting themselves from sunburns. Seniors who want to stay safe while enjoying their summer days need to take a few precautions.

Five Tips to Avoid the Risk of Skin Cancer in Seniors:

Tip #1 – Avoiding the hottest time of the day:

Seniors should plan their activities for the morning or evening, and stay inside from 10 am to 4 pm when the sun’s rays are the most intense. In addition, seniors who are worried about dehydration should also avoid going outside in the afternoon.

Tip #2 – Having the appropriate cover:

To avoid sun damage, seniors need to stay in the shade while being outside. Since there are areas that do not have accessible shade, planning is a must.  Older adults who want to spend the day outside should wear a hat or parasol, long sleeve shirts, and long pants as well as sunglasses.

<strong>Tip #3 – Remember to use sunblock:

Seniors who will be spending a lot of time outside should always put on sunscreen any time they leave the house and reapply it every two hours or even more often if they are going to participate in water activities.

Tip #4 – Practicing medication safety:</strong>

Some medications can cause increased sun sensitivity, which is why seniors must consult their physicians before they participate in outdoor activities.

Tip #5 – Knowing the signs of skin cancer:

All seniors should perform annual skin cancer checkups. Detecting skin cancer early is critical for treating it effectively.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care.

We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and more! 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs.

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton was awarded Accreditation Canada’s “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal. This honour is the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services and demonstrates a commitment to safe, high-quality home care for seniors.

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