Bedsores

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Bedsores Are A Sign Of Neglect

Nothing is scarier than getting a call from the nursing home or assisted living facility where a loved one is living only to hear that he or she has developed a pressure sore. But what is a pressure sore, exactly?

A pressure sore (also known as a bedsore or decubitus ulcer) is a breakdown in the skin due to constant pressure to a bony part of a person’s body. Common locations of pressure sores include:

• Buttocks

• Tailbone

• Heels

• Elbows

• Hips

• Ankles

Nursing Homes Should Work To Prevent Pressure Sores

Nursing homes and other medical facilities have a duty to protect residents from development of preventable pressure sores. Nursing home residents are frequently at a higher risk for the development of pressure sores due to their immobility, poor nutrition and hydration or due to cognitive deficits such as dementia.

The fact is, most pressure sores are preventable with appropriate care from trained staff. If your loved one has a pressure ulcer or is at high risk for developing one, make sure the nursing home staff:

• Turns and repositions your loved one frequently so he or she doesn’t remain on any one bony area of the body for too long

• Uses a specialized mattress to decrease the pressure on the bony areas of your loved one’s body

• Consults a doctor or nurse trained in wound care to develop an individualized and appropriate care plan to meet your loved one’s needs

• Checks the pressure sores frequently to ensure that they are not deteriorating

The quicker a pressure sore is discovered, the more likely treatment to the site will be effective.