Bedsores, or “pressure ulcers” as they are referred to in the medical community, are serious medical problems for the tens of thousands of nursing home residents who suffer from them. In essence, a bedsore is a “wound caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin” and usually develop over the elbow, heel, hip, shoulder, tailbone, buttocks, back, and back of the head, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Bedsores are extremely painful and can deteriorate to the point at which muscle and bone are exposed. But are they a normal sign of old age or a sign elder abuse/neglect is occurring in a nursing home?
Bedsores a Sign of Poor Care in Nursing Homes
According to the CDC, the presence of bedsores on a patient are “one of the important measures of the quality of clinical care in nursing homes.” Furthermore, the Mayo Clinic recommends an immediate change in position at the first signs of bedsores and that further medical attention should be provided to those suffering from bedsores within 24 to 48 hours of discovery. Thus, a failure to attend to bedsores promptly is a failure to meet basic standards of medical care.
Elder Abuse Factors That Can Cause Bedsores
The three primary causes of bedsores, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:
- Sustained pressure on the skin from a wheelchair or bed
- Friction when a person’s skin is dragged across a surface, such as when a caregiver moves a nursing home patient
- Shear that occurs when a person’s body is improperly balanced, such as when a hospital bed is improperly elevated
Other factors that can lead to bedsores are weight loss, poor nutrition and hydration, and excess moisture or dryness, among others. All such factors could occur as a result of elder abuse/neglect in a nursing home.
What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse
Not all bedsores are caused by elder abuse, but some of the more common types of elder abuse are also consistent with factors leading to bedsores, including:
- Use of bodily restraints in wheelchairs and beds
- Rough handling of elders and physical abuse
- Inadequate response to health problems (including the first signs of bedsores)
- Poor nutrition
- Poor cleaning and hygiene practices
Approximately 1 in 10 nursing home residents will experience bedsores every year, which is about the same proportion of senior citizens that experience elder abuse. If you notice bedsores on an elderly family member or friend in a nursing home, contact an experienced elder law attorney for a consultation regarding whether elder abuse may be occurring and what your options are in addressing it.
Contact the CA Elder Abuse Attorneys at Johnson-Moore Today
At Johnson-Moore, we have dedicated our practice to defending the elderly from abuse. We know full well that elder abuse victims and their families often face stonewalling, denial, and even intimidation when they try to take action against elder abuse. We will listen to your concerns and assess what steps we can take on your behalf. Contact Johnson-Moore today to schedule a free consultation on your potential California elder abuse claim.
