West Virginia residents who have elderly or disabled relatives that require physical care and perhaps even placement in nursing homes know how hard it is to find the right help that they can trust. With reports of nursing home abuse or neglect popping up all around the nation, it is understandable to be concerned that this could happen. Neglect of a nursing home resident can take many forms. The formation and lack of treatment of bedsores may be a form of nursing home neglect.
According to the Nursing Home Abuse Guide, most bedsores are or should be preventable. Patients who have limited or little mobility on their own can be susceptible to the development of these sores because prolonged pressure on certain areas can be a primary cause. Some of the most common places for bedsores to be seen are around feet or ankles, on bottoms, lower backs, hips and tailbones. These areas have little muscle, skin or fat to prevent them from damage. A rashlike appearance on the skin is the first visible sign, similar to a hotspot.
WebMD explains that prevention is the best treatment for a bedsore. This requires frequent patient movement to avoid the pressure from being kept on one body part for extended periods of time. Proper support in beds, chairs or wheelchairs can also help. It is equally important for caregivers to ensure that patients and residents remain clean and their skin is moisturized to minimize the effect of friction.
Relatives should always be aware of bedsores as they may point to other signs of neglect or abuse as well.
