Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1507658
72 ASCP Skin Deep Autumn 2023 OUR OLDER ADULT POPULATION IS rapidly growing in the US. Every day, more than 10,000 Americans turn 65, 1 an increase stemming from the 73 million baby boomers who were born between the years 1946 and 1964. 2 Today's seniors are more educated, more health-conscious, and have greater longevity. By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older. So how does this information affect you and your business? Alison O'Neil, author, skin care expert, and founder of the Beauty Becomes You Foundation, has made it her mission to educate personal health- care professionals about esthetics for older adults. "I've spent my entire career learning, experiencing, and teaching about why the way we look to ourselves and others—whether our physical appearance or how we do the things we do—is so very important," she says. "It's about our sense of self-worth, which is with us our whole lives. When the way we physically appear is affected by an illness, accident, effects of aging—or we are affected by our natural physical characteristics or changing capabilities— it can empower us . . . or limit our belief in ourselves." Enhance their well-being through esthetics by Lisa Bakewell The Care of Older Clients Is in Your Hands THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGE AND ESTHETICS While medical advancements continue to prolong life expectancies, your older clients may still experience issues of limited mobility, social isolation, and declining self-esteem. "When neglected," says O'Neil, "these physical issues lead to the decline in personal dignity and self- esteem, which further lead to depression and the mental health condition known as failure-to-thrive syndrome," which results in increased health-care costs. The idea of embracing the aging process, therefore, is an extremely important concept to convey to clients. Beauty and wellness health interventions, including skin, hair, nail care, and massage, hold significant importance for older adults. O'Neil says the clients who take care of their appearance may bolster their well-being, stimulate endorphins, and positively affect overall health. Practicing regular personal hygiene—no matter their age—can help prevent the escalation of physical and mental health conditions through early recognition. 3 RECOGNIZING HEALTH CONDITIONS Skin care professionals should be aware of common skin conditions and their correlation with acute and chronic