Why Sun Safety Matters for Seniors

Caring for an aging individual is a large responsibility. All elders deserve a life free from abuse or neglect, and part of proper care includes attention to safety from the summer sun. Some older people become less concerned with safety or risk prevention when it comes to their health, and other seniors are unable to care for themselves and take proper precautions.

You might be asking yourself, does sun safety really matter for elder adults?

As many as half of all Americans who live to age 65 will experience skin cancer at least once. And more than half of all skin-cancer-related deaths occur in those 65 years or older. So while it may be tempting to think that sun damage prevention among seniors doesn’t really matter, the statistics are clear that seniors are at risk and any elderly person can benefit from reducing that risk.

There are many reasons why aging adults are more at risk for skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. As we grow older, our skin becomes more weak against disease—we have reduced immune systems, poorer healing capacity, thinner skin, and more damage from our years of exposure to smoking or air pollution. Also, as we age, our skin loses fat and water content and becomes much thinner. These changes let UV light penetrate more deeply. Many common diseases and conditions related to aging contribute to an inability for our skin to fight back. Atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure are all known to impede blood flow and decrease our immune response, reducing the skin’s ability to heal.

Are you taking steps to protect yourself and your aging loved ones from the sun’s UV rays? Head over to our Facebook page, and let us know what you’re doing!