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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Dry skin in older adults.
Jennifer Hurlow1, Donna Zimmaro Bliss
1University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)
|May 24, 2011
Summary
Dry skin is common in older adults, often worsening without proper care. Comprehensive nursing management, including hydration and topical treatments, is key for elderly skin health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Dermatology
- Nursing Science
Background:
- Aging leads to physiological skin changes, increasing dryness in older individuals.
- Chronic health conditions can exacerbate age-related dry skin.
- Inadequate or incorrect management can worsen xerosis in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline comprehensive nursing management strategies for dry skin in the elderly.
- To emphasize the importance of integrated care for managing age-related xerosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of current nursing interventions for elderly dry skin.
- Focus on holistic management including topical therapies, hydration, and environmental factors.
- Integration of chronic illness symptom management into skin care protocols.
Main Results:
- Topical products are essential for replenishing lipids and reducing transepidermal water loss.
- Maintaining adequate fluid intake is crucial for skin hydration.
- Limiting sun exposure and managing chronic conditions contribute to improved skin barrier function.
Conclusions:
- Effective nursing management of dry skin in the elderly requires a multifaceted approach.
- Interventions should address both intrinsic (aging) and extrinsic (environmental, health conditions) factors.
- Optimizing skin hydration and barrier function is achievable through comprehensive care strategies.
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