When a loved one is living in a nursing home, one of the best things you can do is to visit that person often. Not only will he or she appreciate these visits, but this will also help you monitor your loved one's safety and care. If you begin to notice that your loved one has bed sores, it could be a sign of nursing home neglect. Here are three things you should know about this condition.
What are bed sores exactly?
Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are open wounds found on the skin. They develop from pressure and are likely to be located on a person's back, buttocks, and hips. In most cases, bed sores can be prevented, but they require care. When bed sores are not treated fast enough, they can cause other types of health problems, including serious conditions like sepsis.
Who gets bed sores?
While anyone could develop bed sores, people with mobility issues are at risk the most for these. When a person cannot move well, the person is likely to sleep in the same position for an entire night. This puts the person at risk for developing these sores because of the pressure that is placed on the same body parts all night long.
People that move well will usually move around while they sleep, and this is one of the best ways to prevent bed sores from happening.
How can bed sores be prevented?
If your loved one is not mobile, it is the responsibility of the nursing home to ensure that he or she does not develop bed sores. This is usually accomplished by moving the person often. The nursing home staff should move your loved one several times each night while he or she is sleeping. If this is not done, his or her chances of getting bed sores will greatly increase.
The nursing home is also responsible for moving your loved one throughout the day. If they fail to do this, your loved one is also more likely to develop these sores.
If you visit your relative often and begin to see bed sores on him or her, this could be a sign of nursing home neglect. Nursing home neglect happens often and can happen in many ways, but it is something that should be stopped.
To learn more about nursing home neglect, or to file a case against the nursing home where your loved one lives, make an appointment with a nursing home neglect attorney.
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