Bedsores are a type of pressure ulcer that is often associated with nursing home neglect. They’re usually found on the buttocks, hip, shoulder blades, and heels. If you suspect nursing home neglect has led to bedsores on your loved one, here’s what you need to know.
Yes, nursing homes may be responsible
Bedsores are often caused by being in one position for too long. Other things, like poor hygiene or an underlying medical condition that causes the person to remain in one position for too long, like paralysis, can cause bedsores. Among other things, nursing homes are responsible for repositioning residents that cannot do that for themselves every two hours or so, turning them over at least once a day, and cleaning their skin. Also, nursing homes have the responsibility to ensure that their residents are getting up and walking around often if they can.
Unfortunately, a good number of nursing homes guilty of nursing home neglect don’t follow these rules and neglect their residents to the point of bedsores. Some of them remain unaware of the bedsores until it is too late to treat them effectively and efficiently.
It’s possible to prevent bedsores with proper care
Responsible nursing homes take the necessary steps to prevent bedsores. These institutions have a strict policy in place that involves nurses and other staff members checking on patients often and making sure that they’re repositioned as necessary.
Also, it’s worth noting that you can prevent or improve bedsores with good nutrition and proper hydration. Good nursing homes understand this and work on nursing home residents’ nutrition and hydration accordingly. They also make sure that their nursing home residents’ skin stays clean.
In addition, such nursing homes regularly change nursing home residents’ bed sheets and their clothes to prevent bedsores from developing for this reason. These institutions also make sure nursing homes have different mattresses in case a patient develops bedsores on the mattress they currently use.
It’s clear that nursing homes are responsible for their residents’ bedsores. Thankfully, by taking all the necessary measures, they can avoid this issue.