Monitoring the health of your family members in nursing homes is important. Even if the best care is provided, a pressure ulcer or bedsore can develop. Below are some signs to look for as well as common treatments.
What are they?
When there is a significant amount of pressure on one area of the body, typically from the body staying in one position for a long period of time, then nursing home bedsores can develop. Blood can’t adequately flow to the area, which results in the wound developing. These can be found anywhere on the body including the buttocks, legs, and heels. Stage two ulcers are typically classified as having the top layer of the skin broken.
Symptoms
While visiting with someone in a nursing home, there are some symptoms that you might notice if a bedsore is present. The most common is a wound that looks like a crater. This wound could be filled with blood but is often filled with clear or yellow fluid. If you notice any kind of pus from the wound, then it could be a sign of an infection. There is often a significant amount of pain associated with this type of pressure ulcer and possible warmth radiating from the area.
Treatment
One of the first things to do is to remove the source of pressure from the wound. Medications can be administered to prevent or treat an infection. The wound can be cleaned and dressed to aid in the healing process.
A common occurrence in nursing homes is the development of pressure ulcers that can be found on any area of the body if the patient isn’t turned or moved.
