Pressure ulcers can happen in elderly people and those who are unable to move as easily as normal. However, just because pressure ulcers are common doesn’t mean they aren’t preventable or treatable. Any bedsore attorney in Manhattan, NY will caution you to know exactly what needs to happen to prevent pressure ulcers and how to treat them if they occur. Nursing homes will often neglect residents to the point where pressure ulcers become major skin issues. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts you need to be aware of when it comes to pressure ulcers.
Get Up And Move Often
Moving frequently is the simplest solution to dealing with pressure ulcers, including preventing them from occurring. For bedridden people, changing positions every hour or so if they are lying down is ideal. And if they are sitting, then they should change positions more frequently since more pressure is applied to the skin. By simply shifting your weight, you’ll give your skin enough relief to prevent pressure ulcers and not have to get a bedsore lawyer in The Bronx involved. If you can get up and walk around, then do so as much as possible to promote good blood flow throughout the body.
Don’t Drag Your Skin Across Any Surfaces
One of the biggest things to avoid is causing friction on your skin when you have a pressure ulcer present. This friction can break down the skin even more and make the recovery process much more difficult. Make a conscious effort to lift your feet and legs when getting out of bed instead of sliding them across the sheets. Doing so will reduce the amount of friction and prevent pressure ulcers from getting worse.
Find Appropriate Pressure Relief When Lying Or Sitting
If your loved one is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, they should offer specialized mattresses and cushions for people prone to developing pressure ulcers. However, as a bedsore lawyer will tell you, this doesn’t always happen. The idea is to use cushions designed to distribute pressure so you aren’t putting all of the pressure on one spot. Everyone’s body is different, so there’s not a single solution that works for everyone.
People often make the mistake of thinking donut chairs are ideal for pressure relief. The reality is the donut ring itself causes more pressure on the area touching it. So while you might experience temporary relief in a targeted area, long-term pressure relief is not possible since you’re simply putting pressure on a different area.
Don’t Overdo It When Trying To Find Relief
It’s easy to try too much when you have a pressure ulcer. All you want is some relief, but if you try too hard, you might make the problem worse. A bedsore lawyer often discovers nursing home staff applies thick dressings on top of a pressure wound in hopes of helping it heal. But the truth is the thicker the dressing is, the more pressure is put on the wound and it can actually make the problem worse.
The same is true when it comes to padding or bedding for pressure relief. You don’t want to have layers of covers or too much padding on a bed. These usually increase pressure on certain areas of the body and can make other pressure ulcers develop, or make existing ones worse. Keep it as simple as possible when you’re treating a pressure ulcer and focus on keeping the area as clean as possible.
Keep Your Skin Dry And Clean
The most important thing to do when dealing with a pressure ulcer is to keep the skin dry and clean. Nursing home staff should monitor pressure ulcers frequently and make adjustments to the care routine as needed. A good bedsore attorney in Manhattan, NY can identify when proper care was not taken by nursing home staff and will take legal action if needed. If your loved one is in a nursing home and dealing with pressure ulcers, the number one thing to look out for is whether their skin is being kept clean and dry. Otherwise, the pressure ulcers can turn into more severe bedsores and lead to larger health concerns.
Don’t Rub Your Skin For Relief
As tempting as it might be to rub or put pressure on a pressure ulcer for relief, you have to avoid it at all costs. Rubbing your skin with your fingers, a blanket, a pillow, or anything else causes friction, which can make the pressure ulcer much worse. If the pressure ulcer is causing pain, then over-the-counter medication might be recommended to make you feel a little more comfortable. When dealing with a pressure ulcer, you should come in contact with it as little as possible to help it heal properly and quickly.
Sinel & Olesen, PLLC is a trusted bedsore lawyer in The Bronx. As soon as your loved one appears to be experiencing a pressure ulcer, it’s important to get involved immediately. While we should be able to assume nursing home staff cares for residents properly, the truth is they often don’t for various reasons. Pressure ulcers are easy to prevent and treat when identified correctly and action is taken immediately. Otherwise, they could develop into something much worse and lead to long-term health complications. If you suspect negligence on the part of the nursing home staff caring for your loved one, contact us right away to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help.
