Pressure sores (bedsores) are more common in a care facility than at home. That’s because a) a person is usually less mobile by then, and b) they aren’t getting the one-on-one attention they got at home. However, they CAN happen at home, especially if a caregiver doesn't know to be alert for early signs. Even with the best of care, pressure sores are a risk for people with Lewy body disorders—or any debilitating illness.
Prevention. The first line of defense.
The surfaces. The least expensive, and possibly the best mattress for someone with limited movement is a mattress made of medical quality high-density foam. You can also cover an existing mattress with a pad of the same quality. An egg-crate foam pad does not provide adequate protection, even if it is quite thick. Other mattresses and pads are those made with gel foam, alternating air and sheepskin. Click here for more information about all of these.
If your loved one is in a wheelchair, there needs to be a pad of similar quality there too. Click here for a good article on seat cushions. Don't forget the backs of the legs if your loved one sits in the chair with the feet raised.
Movement. No matter what kind of surface protection you use, your loved one’s position needs to change every two to three hours. As he becomes less able to do that, it becomes your task, or if he is in a care facility, the care staff’s task. Make sure it happens. Once a pressure sore starts, they are hard to cure. This doesn't necessarily mean a major shift each time, as from one side to the other, or from side to back. It does mean that the areas of the body experiencing the most pressure need to change.
Massage. Massaging the “high pressure areas” at least once a day helps to maintain good circulation and tougher skin. More often is beneficial. Click here to go to a website that offers suggestions about the types of healing oils to use with the massage.
Nutrition. The skin needs adequate proteins and fluids to stay tough. Add healthy oils (fish or fish-oil supplements, olive oil, avocados, flax seeds) for elasticity and strength.
Observation. Even with the best treatment and the most careful prevention, pressure sores can happen. Make a point of actually looking at all the major pressure points at least once a week, and daily if possible.
“I cared for my dad for a couple of years. Checking for pressure sores was a part of our bathing process. When Dad entered an assisted care facility and bathing was not longer my job, it felt intrusive for me to look. I assumed that the staff was now checking—but apparently they weren’t. Dad developed an awful bedsore on his tailbone. It became infected and I believe that it led to his death.” Janice
Yes, the care staff should, and usually do, check. However, this are too serious to leave it to them entirely. (Remember, they have many other patients to care for, and things get missed occasionally in the best of facilities.) It may feel intrusive, both with a patient and with the staff, but a caregiver needs to be proactive. You need to look. If the skin is in good condition, say so—tell the staff how pleased you are. Let them know you do check! If it isn’t, ask that something be done immediately. Then follow up.
Treatment
Early sores. A pressure sore starts out as a mild redness that doesn’t go away. The skin may be tender, and warm or cool, compared to the surrounding skin. If you catch it then, it is easy to fix. Avoid putting any pressure on that spot until it returns to normal skin color. Additional massages with healing oils will speed the time. If the sores reappear, talk to the doctor or a physical therapist about ways to avoid this.
With broken skin: Once the skin is broken, you need to contact the doctor for treatment immediately. This will include applying a dressing that will keep the area clean and moist. Of course, there should be minimal pressure to the area until healed. Medication will depend what kind of infection, if any, is present. With deep sores, surgery may be required to clean out the dead tissue.
As you can see, pressure sores are no little thing when they are not found and dealt with quickly. A proactive caregiver can make sure that they are found early and treated appropriately.
Click here for more about pressure sores and their care.
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Very interesting post!! You have shared so amazing thing. Thanks for that. I really enjoyed to read it.
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