Bedsores are also referred to as pressure ulcers, since they develop from placing steady pressure on one area of the body for too long. Nursing home residents are most likely to develop bedsores over their tailbones, hips, elbows, or shoulder blades. If the staff keeps a resident completely immobile for 12 hours or more, the resident could suffer from bedsores.
When blood flow slows or stops due to an area of the body being compressed between the bone and the surface of the bed or wheelchair, the skin develops a wound called a bedsore. Oxygen and nutrients can’t reach the tissues, causing the surrounding skin to die. While evidence of a bedsore may not be immediate, it will become visible over several days or weeks.
If your loved one suffers from arthritis or an injury that makes it difficult to move, the nursing home staff needs to conduct simple exercises or motions with the resident until he or she is mobile again. Small amounts of physical therapy, such as massage or stretching, will reduce the risk of bedsores. Periodically turning the resident over on his or her side will generate blood flow to constricted areas enough to avoid a bedsore.
Residents who are diabetic or paraplegic with no sense of feeling in their feet are especially at risk of developing bedsores. These residents may not move their feet or legs for long periods of time and will develop sores on their heels. The nursing home staff should be aware of each resident’s physical limitations and take due care to prevent bedsores with personalized, individual attention. Anything less is neglect.