Bedsores Are Not Normal in Nursing Homes

Bedsores only take about a week or two to form. They often develop when a person places unrelieved pressure onto one area of the body, and they are one of the most common signs of nursing home abuse.

You need to take immediate action if you suspect a loved one has experienced abuse in a residential facility. It can be easy to write off certain symptoms, especially since bedsores appear as superficial wounds. However, you need to bring any concerns you have to the attention of the nursing home staff. If left untreated, bedsores can lead to cancer, sepsis and joint infections, so do not look the other way when it comes to nursing home negligence.

The nursing home staff should have training to prevent bedsores

Bedsores are one of the most common conditions to develop in nursing homes, even though they are preventable. Many of the residents will have limited mobility due to an injury or illness. However, even if a resident needs to stay in bed all day, the staff members should still take active steps to prevent bedsores from developing.

If a resident needs to remain in bed for long periods of time, then the staff should check in once every two hours to alter the position. Laying at a 30-degree angle can help alleviate pressure on the hips. The nursing home’s staff should also inspect patients’ skin at least once a day to ensure no bedsores have begun to develop.

Another way a nursing home’s staff will actively try to prevent bedsores is to ensure residents receive adequate nutrition. Regardless of how mobile a resident is, the facility should offer nutritious meals at regular intervals to make sure residents receive all essential vitamins and minerals. Ensuring proper health should also involve regular exercise, but the facility may need to customize exercise regimens depending on a resident’s capabilities. With all these steps to prevent bedsores, you should never see them on a loved one.