Elderly nursing home residents who have a hard time moving around are at risk of developing bed sores. Studies show that residents can sometimes develop bed sores within a year of staying at a nursing home. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that more than 1 in 10 nursing home residents suffer from bed sores.
The bad news is that bed sores often form because of abuse or neglect of the nursing home staff. Too often, bed sores go unnoticed and are left untreated until they turn into a serious injury.
The good news is that bed sores are preventable. Nursing home staff should help residents change positions to help them avoid sitting or lying on the same body parts for a long time. Residents’ nutrition and overall well-being should be inspected often, too. Our experienced nursing home lawyers compiled a list of bed sore warning signs to look out for to stop bed sores before they get worse.
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WARNING SIGNS OF BED SORES
Bed sores are categorized into quite a few levels based on how deep and severe they are, but all levels can be recognized by these common signs:
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Changes in skin color, texture, or temperature
- Pus-like draining
Nursing home residents who are confined to a wheelchair or bed are most at risk for developing bed sores. Common places for the bed sores to form are on the body parts with prolonged pressure, such as the lower back, tailbone, backs of arms and legs, and even on the back or sides of the head.
Nursing home staff should immediately address any signs of bed sores before the they get worse and need surgery to be fixed.
Your local nursing home injury lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm represent families and individuals harmed by nursing home neglect and abuse throughout the country. Call us today for a free consultation.
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