Nursing home abuse: What you need to know about bedsores

Realizing that your loved one’s nursing home is not caring for them properly is heartbreaking. After all, it is supposed to be a haven in their sunset years when they are at their most vulnerable.

If your loved one needs round-the-clock care, neglect is a form of abuse that often negatively affects their well-being. For example, neglect can lead to bedsores when residents stay in a fixed position for excessive amounts of time because they cannot switch positions independently.

What is the exact cause of bedsores?

Staying in a fixed position can exert pressure on the skin and cut off the blood supply. When that happens over a prolonged period, it can lead to bedsores, otherwise known as pressure ulcers. What starts as a red, painful area eventually turns purple as the skin dies. Ultimately, the skin may break, leading to an ulcer-like wound.

Bedsores mainly occur on the back of the head, shoulder blades, or buttocks, depending on the posture one has been in for a considerable time.

Bedsores can be deadly

If a bedsore is left unattended, it can spread and extend to the muscle or bone. Infections may also develop at the site, and in extreme cases, it can lead to sepsis which can be a fatal condition. While bedsores are treatable, the earlier your loved one gets medical attention, the better.

Protecting your loved one

It is crucial to fully assess your loved one’s physical health whenever you visit them. Bedsores could indicate neglect by the nursing home, and if your loved one is a victim, you need to protect them.

Finding an alternative facility for them can be a place to start. But, even then, you need to hold the negligent nursing home accountable and get your loved one the justice they deserve.