There are certain types of injuries and medical conditions that people commonly associate with advanced age. Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, have a strong association with older adults. People who spend most of their day in bed or reclining in a favorite chair can develop these painful wounds from remaining in the same position for extended amounts of time.
The possibility of bedsores developing is one of the reasons that families decide that older adults should move into nursing homes. When they have support from trained medical professionals, they are less likely to develop sores. They are also in a better position to diagnose their bedsores and get treatment quickly. Unfortunately, when nursing homes are negligent enough to allow bedsores to develop, they may also leave them untreated.
Bedsores progress over time
Typically, the professionals working at a nursing home cannot prevent all bedsore development. Depending on an individual’s activity level and overall health status, they could start developing bedsores in as little as a few hours. However, early-stage bedsores tend to improve quickly if people move or shift their position.
The workers at nursing homes can protect people from scenarios in which they develop severe bedsores by regularly inspecting them for pressure ulcers in common locations. Under the buttocks, behind the shoulder blades, the back of the knees and the back of the heels are all locations where bedsores frequently develop. If workers routinely check for bedsores, they can take prompt action to treat them.
Workers can provide cushioning, support while moving and other forms of treatment that can prevent bedsores from developing beyond the initial stage. If left untreated, bedsores can eventually break the skin. They can affect the muscles and other tissue below the location where the sore develops. Once the bedsore damages the skin, the nursing home resident is also at risk of infection. If they do not receive prompt care, the infection could become systemic and might put their health at risk.
The people working at nursing homes should be aware of how to identify bedsores and where to check for them. They should also have resources available to help them treat bedsores and prevent them from progressing. When family members learn that nursing home residents have later-stage bedsores or systemic infections that began due to bedsore development, they may have reason to question the standard of care at the facility.
Pursuing a nursing home negligence lawsuit can help cover the expenses of medical care and relocating a loved one who did not receive adequate support. People who recognize the warning signs of nursing home negligence can use that knowledge to advocate for their vulnerable loved ones.