As wonderful as the sun is, it's not something you can stay out in for too long. Averagely, it takes UV rays just 6 minutes to begin damaging the skin. While aged care courses don't focus too much on sun protection, it remains an essential aspect for the patients you look after daily. That's why we created a blog on the subject.
Are Older Adults More Susceptible To Sunburn?
As we age, the skin loses elasticity and becomes thinner, making it more susceptible to UV damage. You're at much greater risk of melanoma over the age of 65; protection is even more critical.
So, if you're thinking of a career change in the industry, it's one of many things you'll have to consider when working in the job.
What Are The 5 Ways To Protect Yourself From The Sun?
The good news is that when safeguarding the elderly against the sun, the same principles that apply to everyone must be followed. So, come with us now as we look at the 5 main ways you prevent seniors you care for from getting either sunburn or UV damage.
Method #1 - Protective Clothing
Online sun protection learning teaches us that our clothes are the first defence. Covering all open skin with light-coloured, loose-fitting garments and a hat will ensure that UV rays can't get through. Synthetic fibres like cotton, as are most densely woven fabrics, are best for this purpose.
Method #2 - Sunglasses
Clothes and hats represent a good start as sun defence. However, your eyes and the surrounding area are also at risk. Good sunglasses will provide adequate protection if they're of the right quality and type. If you happen to be buying them for your patient, be sure to get sunglasses with UV protection - not all of them have it.
Method #3 - Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen has advanced recently, with the best brands offering up to 99% protection against UV damage. As such, seniors should never go out without protection into the sun - in any type of year. You see, UVA rays can get you through the clouds, meaning you even need sunscreen if it's raining out!
Method #4 - Avoid The Most Intense Hours
The aged care courses you take to get into the role will teach you many things, such as how specific problems can be side-stepped. The sun is most intense between 10 am and 4 pm, so if you schedule walks and other outdoor activities before 10 and after 4, you'll neatly avoid much of the problem.
Method #5 - Use Shade As Much As You Can
It is possible to be outside but not be exposed to the sun. That's right, by taking as much opportunity as possible to keep the person you're caring for in the shade, you'll further limit the sun exposure they get. Please don't do it too much, as we all need direct sunlight to get the vitamin D we need for good health.
We shouldn't forget that the sun is something we need for many reasons, but as with anything, too much of a good thing isn't healthy. By following these five pieces of advice, people you care for will experience the joy of outdoor life without sunburn spoiling things.
Interested In An Aged Care Career? Try OCA Online Learning!
If you're looking for a career in aged care, perhaps the most accessible and mentally stimulating route is to engage in our CPD-Endorsed short aged care courses online that make learning simple. The courses in our Job Ready Aged Care Bundle are typical of what we provide to our students, as they're delivered entirely online and modular, meaning they're easy to fit around your day.
However, we offer a world away from the boring text-based options that make your eye glaze over after just a short while. To get a good feel for what we mean, take a look at our Student Study Demo that details the joined-up experience people to get with us, featuring industry-led content, 1-to-1 mentoring, and more besides.
Aged care courses are just one of many options we provide covering more than 20 different industries - something you can learn more about by visiting us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. You'll find out about our flexible payment options and exactly why our students see ours as the best-supported online education Australia can muster.
So, if you'd like to talk to us about what we've discussed here or anything else, call us at 1300 611 404 or drop us a line at [email protected], and we'll respond without delay.