Bed sores are a serious issue for older individuals in a care setting, such as a nursing home or hospital.
John Hopkins Medicine explains that bed sores occur due to pressure from lying in the same spot for prolonged periods of time. They are ulcers that form on the skin and can easily become infected. The development of bed sores often directly relates to the level of care a person receives. If your loved one develops them, then you should do further investigation.
Causes
While poor care is often the cause of bed sores, they may also occur due to a person’s state of health. If a person has circulation issues or diabetes, he or she may develop them at a quicker rate than other people. Bad skincare can also lead to this issue. A sore can develop within as little as two hours.
Advanced issues
While a bed sore may start within hours, it usually does not become a huge issue until it is left untreated or the person is left lying in the same position without attention. You can generally believe that there was some neglect if your loved one has an advanced bed sore that is open and infected.
Prevention
If you have concerns about bed sores and your loved one, then you can check his or her body to look for warning signs. Bed sores generally will form on the areas of the body that have heavy contact with a surface, such as buttocks, back of head, shoulders and knees. You can check these areas for redness.