Homemakers are frequently the caregivers for elderly parents or relatives.  They may even be employed in a rehab or recovery facility.  Homemakers generally have the people skills that allow them to give attentive and loving care to a patient or a family member in their care. 

It is important to understand how the skin functions to care for dry skin of a senior.  The skin of the senior is subject to infection if broken.  Actually the skin is an organ.  We tend to think of organs as heart, lung, kidney, liver and such.  The skin weighs about 9 pounds and has the outer (epidermis) and inner layer (dermis).  The collagen fibers give hardness to the skin and provide protection.  The elastin fiber as the name indicates, allows the skin to stretch.  As these degenerate the skin wrinkles.  

The glands that provide the oils that lubricate the skin are beneath the surface and as we age they produce less oil.  The hands and feet in particular are susceptible to drying, cracking and infection.  The bed bound and wheelchair patient is subject to pressure sores.  These first appear as a dark red spot, usually on the heel or buttocks.  It is easier to prevent any illness than to cure it after it becomes full blown.  This requires close observation and frequent turning to reposition a patient.  Curing is not only hard to do it takes longer.

Use special mattresses and cushions with bed and wheelchair bound seniors. Medical supply stores will carry these and other hygiene supplies.  Ask your doctor about antibiotics to treat infections.  Use water resistant hand creams if you wash your hands often and avoid the sanitizer solutions you see in individual hospital rooms.  These are alcohol based and dry your skin.  During winter the skin will have less oil and be drier. This is particularly true for seniors.  Dry skin will cause the skin to itch.  Room vaporizers help prevent dehydration of the skin and often help breathing.  Remember to watch the feet especially the feet of a diabetic.  Any skin infection is risky for sedentary or bed patients.

Cleanliness is most helpful and also requires the application of lotions.  It is not necessary for ill seniors to bath daily, but every other day is recommended.  Bath using warm not hot water and dry thoroughly.  The use of soap on every body part is not necessary either.  Patients that can shower or take tub bath need to use soap sparingly and mostly on the private parts, feet, face, neck, and ears and under arms.  Just flush/rinse.  Active seniors should retain normal personal hygiene and remember to pay attention to dry skin areas specially the feet.