Your elderly mother or father’s nursing home can provide a variety of care, from assisting with dressing and bathing to ensuring proper nutrition; however, the World Health Organization reports that one in six elders experience abuse and neglect in such facilities. One common result of neglect is bedsores, and these skin wounds occur when an immobile elderly person is not shifted or removed from a bed or chair often enough and the resulting pressure causes skin ruptures.
There are different types of bedsores to watch for if you suspect neglect, as each might cause serious medical issues for your aging parent.
Closed bedsore
These types of sores are usually in the early stages of development and the skin is not yet broken. The sore may feature skin discoloration and cause your parent discomfort. They are typically found on the lower part of the body, such as the buttocks or legs.
Open bedsore
Once neglect persists, your elderly parent’s bedsores may break open and turn a darker red as the wound becomes deeper. The edges may look sore and crust over. This type of bedsore may heal and break open repeatedly when exposed to friction.
Ulcerated bedsore
When bedsores go untreated, the wound usually deepens and can ulcerate down into the deeper layers of skin and expose muscle tissue. They may also leak fluid. Bedsores at this stage may also cause discoloration in the surrounding skin.
If you find any type of bedsore on your parent while he or she resides in a nursing home, you may want to inform the staff immediately. Neglected sores might warrant further investigation.
