Sun Protection Guide for Seniors

Staying outside under the sun encourages older people to be more physically active, and it is suitable for their physical well-being. However, too much sun exposure can make them susceptible to skin cancer and other skin-related diseases. 

This article examines sun protection safety for seniors. 

Skin Cancer Data 

Across the United States, over five million people undergo treatment for skin cancer with an estimated cost of more than $8 billion. Most cases of skin cancer are detected in people that are over 65 years old. However, little attention is given to reducing the possibility of skin cancer, especially in older people. 

The cancer statistics data in the United States shows that the cases of melanoma continue to increase between the age of 80 to 84 years old. But it slightly drops when adults reach the age of 85 years of age. 

Important Findings 

• Among the elderly, only about 15% of older adults and 8% of sun-sensitive seniors used the following sun protection. 
• Stay in the shade.
• Use sunscreen.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• Wear clothing to the ankles.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt.
• In seniors, 44% prefer to wear clothes such as pants that can protect them, while 37% prefer to stay in the shade to protect them. 
• Women prefer to stay in the shade, with only 32% using sunscreen. 
• Almost 18% of seniors do not use any sunscreen protection. 
• More than 1 in 10 older adults (13%) has experienced sunburn in the past year, and sunburn was twice as high among sun-sensitive older adults (20%).

Why These Findings are Important

These findings are essential since people who reach the age of 65 can expect to live, on average, 2 more decades due to today's medical advancements and healthier lifestyle choices. Older people should be encouraged to use sunscreens to lessen the risk of skin cancer in their later years. 

With these findings, people are also encouraged to plant more trees and other shade options to protect not just the elderly but also different age groups. 

How to Protect Yourself From UV Rays

You can still enjoy the sun without risking harmful UV rays. 

Sunscreen

 The FDA recommends sunscreen for the elderly with a broad spectrum to protect them against harmful rays. You can also use sunscreen with an SPF of more than 15 or higher. 

Apply sunscreens liberally to all uncovered areas, including the nose, ears, hands, and feet. But refrain from putting it to your eyes and mouth. 

Remember to reapply every two hours. You can apply more when you are sweating or swimming. 

Shade

Older people are encouraged to stay under shaded areas like trees, umbrellas, or other shelters. 

However, even when under the shade or it's a shady day, it is essential that you still apply sunscreen to protect against skin cancers.

Clothing 

The best protective clothing for the elderly is the one that offers coverage of the skin. In this case, long skirts and long pants are the best options. Remember to put on a beach cover-up to protect the body from direct sunlight if at the beach. 

If clothing becomes wet from water or sweat, seniors should change their clothes from wet to dry ones. Wet clothes do not offer protection against UV rays.

When choosing clothes to wear, pick darker colors since it offers more protection than clothes that are lighter in color. 

Hat 

Wear a hat that has a wide brim that protects the face, neck, and ears. Choose a tightly woven fabric like canvas since it works best to protect against harmful rays. Seniors may prefer to use straw hats. However, it is not the best option since the holes allow the light to penetrate. 

For older men, wearing a baseball cap does not offer complete protection. It is still recommended to apply sunscreen on the back of the neck to protect that area. 

Sunglasses 

Protect the eyes from UV rays and lessen the risks of cataracts by wearing protective sunglasses. When choosing eyeglasses, remember to select the ones with a UV 400 rating or those that offer 100% UV protection. 

Do not assume that dark tinted eyeglasses offer much more protection than another colored lens. Many eyeglasses that are lighter in color can also provide UV protection, like dark-colored glasses. 

Pick the wraparound style of glasses since it offers more coverage, and they can cover the whole eyes. Compared to the ones that do not protect the entire eyes. 

See the labels and description of the glasses before buying because expensive eyeglasses do not mean that it offers better protection. 

Other Skin Safety Tips 

Ultraviolet radiation is invisible but destructive to the body since it can cause skin cancers. Some people like to stay in the sun to have a sun-kissed color, but sunburn is skin damage caused by sun rays. 

• Spending too much time under the sun increases the risk of skin cancer. Older adults can reduce their risk by limiting their exposure to the sun, especially between 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. 
• Wear clothing that can cover your skin that is exposed to the sun. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants, sunglasses, and even hats to protect your face is recommended. 
• If you have less hair, it is recommended that you also apply some sunscreen on the top of your head. To add more protection, you can wear a hat to protect you from direct.
• Remember that no sunscreen can block radiation. So you have to add some other protections like clothes and hats. 
• All sunscreens are not waterproof. You have to reapply every two hours, especially when you are swimming.                     

Protect Yourself Against the Harmful Rays 

Skin cancer is a severe disease, but it is preventable, especially if you follow the ways to stay safe in the sun. Here at Ocana Medical, we aim to provide the best care for older people so they can enjoy the outdoors while staying safe.

Ocana Medical Care, located in Tampa, FL, aims to bring you as much information as possible to keep you healthy. We're in this together. #ocanacares