Preventing and Treating Bed Sores

Bedsores can develop when a person is immobile or bedridden, and can be common with older adults. They can progress quickly to severe tissue damage, with risk factors of immobility, reduced blood flow, sensory perception issues, inadequate nutrition, and medical conditions.

Symptoms can range from mild reddening to severe tissue damage, and can lead to serious complications, including cancer, cellulitis, sepsis, and bone and joint infections. Prevention involves encouraging frequent movement, skin care, and using special cushions or wheelchairs.

If you’re caring for a senior loved one, it’s critical to look for and treat bedsores early – and get medical assistance, even if symptoms appear minor, as removing damaged tissue may be necessary in some cases.

At Eden Estates our caregivers implement various measures to help ensure our residents avoid bedsores, including:

1) Helping bedridden residents stay active: Helping them walk, stretch, or change positions to keep blood flowing.

2) Checking skin regularly: Looking for redness, soreness, or other signs of pressure sores and treating affected areas.

3) Keeping residents comfortable: Using memory foam and heel protectors to help reduce pressure in common places.

4) Hygiene assistance: Keeping skin clean and dry, changing incontinence products frequently and applying barrier creams.

5) Promoting a healthy diet: Good nutrition is key to helping heal and prevent pressure sores. Each meal we serve is well-balanced and designed to specifically support senior health – and taste delicious, too!

6) Managing chronic health conditions: Ensuring medications are kept up to date for diabetes, heart problems, and other conditions that can increase pressure sore risk.