Bed Sores Could Be Indicators of More Serious Problems

 Posted on March 06, 2019 in Bed Sores

Decubitus ulcers, also known as bed sores or pressure ulcers, form when a person spends long periods of time in the same position. Bed sores most often occur in individuals who are immobile due to illness or disability. Nursing home staff should take precautions to prevent bed sores in residents by regularly repositioning them and immediately treating sores if they occur. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as many as one out of ten residents in nursing homes suffer from bed sores at any given time. If your loved one has suffered from bed sores in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, it may be a sign of neglect.

Preventing Bed Sores in Elderly and Disabled Individuals

Caretakers should take steps to prevent bed sores before they start. If your loved one cannot move himself or herself, you will have to help regularly reposition them. It may be helpful to position the person at a 30-degree angle to reduce pressure on their hips. Caretakers who look after disabled or elderly individuals should also make sure to inspect their skin for signs that bed sores are forming. Malnutrition can be a cause of bed sores as well. Nursing home residents who do not receive enough calories, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals in their diets may suffer from bed sores in addition to other aliments caused by lack of nutrition.

Areas of the Body on Which Bed Sores Commonly Occur

Bed sores are a major concern for people confined to a wheelchair or bed. For nursing home residents who must use a wheelchair all or most of the day, the most common areas for bed sores to form include the:

• Buttocks/tailbone area;
• Backs of legs and arms;
• Spine;
• Shoulder blades; and
• Other areas of the body which rest for long periods of time against the wheelchair.

Nursing home residents who are confined to a bed most often experience bed sores on the:

• Sides and back of the head;
• Ears;
• Shoulders/shoulder blades;
• Knees, heels, and ankles;
• Lower back; and
• Hips.

Contact a Chicago, IL Nursing Home Bed Sores Lawyer

If your loved one suffered from nursing home neglect or abuse, you may be eligible for compensation. To speak with an experienced Cook County personal injury attorney, call Schwartz Injury Law. To schedule a free consultation with our office, call us today at 312-535-4625.

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bedsores/DS00570