People who cannot move much rely on caretakers to rotate them. Without this constant care, bedsores may develop.
A nursing home facility should do whatever is necessary to prevent bedsores in patients. Learn more about this serious injury.
What are bedsores?
Bedsores develop on the bodies of those who have difficulty moving unassisted or cannot move at all. Blood stops flowing in stagnant body parts in constant contact with the mattress or a chair. It only takes a couple of hours for the skin to begin to die in areas that do not receive fresh blood. Thus, people with limited mobility must have someone turn and reposition them around the clock.
Why are older people susceptible?
Older people, particularly those in nursing homes, may not have restricted mobility at a higher frequency. Patients may also have limited nerve receptors in these parts of the body and, thus, do not feel the pain associated with the beginning stages of bedsores.
What makes bedsores so dangerous?
If a person does not receive immediate care for bedsores, the condition may become dangerous. There are four stages of bedsore development:
- The skin becomes red and is warm
- An open sore or blister appears
- The skin caves in or craters due to damage in the tissue below
- A large open wound exposing extensive damage that may go down to bone
A bedsore may not heal correctly or at all if left without proper attention. Should a facility not care for patients as necessary, it may prove an abusive or neglectful environment.
