Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the Salem Visiting Angels office have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them. 

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Bed sores can be a serious danger for older adults and anyone who spends most of their time confined to a bed or a wheelchair or for someone who must wear a cast for a long period of time. Not only can bed sores be painful for those who develop them, but they can also result in more serious problems like infections and wounds that won’t heal.

Bed sores, or pressure ulcers, are wounds caused by a breakdown in the skin and underlying tissue as a result of prolonged pressure over time. They most frequently occur on parts of the body which are in extended contact with the surfaces of the bed, chair, or wheelchair, such as the back, buttocks, shoulder blades, backs of the arms or legs, and the sides and back of the head.

Bony parts of the body, including the tailbone, hips, heels, ankles, and shoulder blades, are often places where bed sores form, and extended exposure to urine and other body fluids can cause the skin to break down faster on parts of the body in contact with a mattress or seat cushion.

Left untreated, bedsores can lead to infections in the skin, bones, or joints and can cause sepsis, which can be fatal, so it’s important that a caregiver who thinks their loved one may be developing a bed sore brings it to the attention of a medical professional right away. 

Bed sores first appear as discolored areas of skin on parts of the body commonly pressed against other surfaces. These areas may appear pink or red on lighter skin or blue or black on darker skin. They may feel softer than the surrounding skin or spongey, and they may be painful or itchy.

Those who are bedbound or confined to a chair require the assistance of others to prevent the sores or to treat them when they do occur, especially since they can develop on parts of the body which may be harder for the person to reach themselves. Repositioning the bed bound person and proper skin care are the most important methods of preventing bed sores.

Repositioning a bedbound person every hour or two – rolling them from their back to their side, for example – changes those parts of the body in contact with the mattress or pillows and takes the pressure off those parts of the body which had been in contact. It is important to lift the person when repositioning them, since dragging them could tear brittle skin.

Raising the elevation of the head of a hospital bed more than 30 degrees could cause the person to slide down into the bed and put extra pressure on the back or tailbone. Mattresses and pillows should be made of materials that relieve pressure, such as foal, gel or air, and a pad placed between the knees or ankles when the person is on their side can help take pressure off the bony parts of the legs. However, round cushions with a hole in the middle are not a good idea because they can cause extra pressure on the surrounding skin.

To prevent excess pressure caused by a wheelchair, have the chair inspected by a healthcare professional annually or whenever they become uncomfortable.

Skin should be washed regularly with a soft cloth and gentle cleaner, especially in areas where bed sores are most likely to occur and in places which come into contact with body fluids. Those areas should also be checked at least once a day for symptoms that a bedsore may be starting.

Using creams and lotions can help keep the skin healthy and may reduce the likelihood of it breaking down and becoming a bedsore.

While the work needed to prevent bed sores may be physically demanding and caregivers must always be on the lookout for them when caring for a bedbound patient, those efforts in preventing bedsores will pay off in improved health and quality of life for their loved ones. 

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Information provided by Visiting Angels, America’s choice in homecare. Visiting Angels’ non-medical homecare services allow people to continue enjoying the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. To set up an appointment for a free in-home consultation, call 330-332-1203.