With temperatures rising in May as spring rapidly heads toward summer, there’s one thing you can’t forget when you head outside: skin protection. 

In the U.S., less than 50% of adults use sunscreen or wear clothing to protect their skin from the sun. This is especially critical on warm, sunny days when you’re outside for more than an hour.

Every year, more than 5 million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer at a cost of about $8.1 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk of skin cancer increases the older you get.

Skin Cancer Rates

According to the CDC, most cases of skin cancer are in people older than 65. As people live longer, it’s essential to reduce skin cancer risks in older adults.

The biggest increases in the rates of skin cancer among U.S. adults starts at the age of 60. The rates finally level off after the age of 85.

The biggest risk factor for most skin cancers is excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The one thing you can do to help avoid sunburns and lower your risk of getting skin cancer is applying sun protection.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are key considerations from the CDC to help you understand what the keys are to being safe in the sun:

  • Stay in shady places
  • Use sunscreen
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat
  • Wear clothing to your ankles
  • Wear a long-sleeved shirt

Only about 15% of older adults and 8% of sun-sensitive older adults regularly use all five of these sun protection strategies, according to the CDC. A sun-sensitive adult is someone who gets a sunburn after being in the sun for an hour without sun protection.

More than 1 in 10 older adults get a sunburn during the year. For sun-sensitive people in this age group, it rises to 20% of people who get sunburns.

The steps to staying safe in the sun are really quite easy. From clothing, to sunscreen, to hats, to staying in the shade, and wearing a long-sleeve shirt, protect yourself before you get a sunburn.

A CARING-FIRST ENVIRONMENT

Senior living communities like Regency at Augusta are precisely that—a community. Residents become friends and even family, and a caring team is there to help them maintain their quality of life. 

At Regency at Augusta, we offer both Assisted Living and Memory Care and we care with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Residents first and Teamwork. We like to call it Caring with H.E.A.R.T.™!

If you believe a senior living community would benefit your loved one, get in touch with us. Schedule a visit or download a brochure today!