(United States Laws) When a person is unable to fully care for themselves, they need the support of other people, in some cases medical caregivers, to provide the care that is essential to their continued well-being. Unfortunately, in addition to the physical injuries, disabilities, and illnesses that a person usually seeks this sort of care for, people who need this level of care are at risk of developing other health problems as well.

One common health issue that many people who are receiving daily care, especially those in hospitals and nursing homes, face is the development of bedsores. Also known as pressure sores, bedsores are caused by a constant pressure being placed on the body, causing damage to the skin and tissue underneath. Bedsores can vary greatly in severity and the amount of damage they cause to those afflicted with them. Unfortunately, these health problems are often quite dangerous as they tend to affect individuals who are already receiving care for other ailments or conditions. Additionally, they are almost always preventable with the appropriate care.

Preventing Bed Sores

Typically, those who develop bedsores are under the care of doctors, nurses, and nursing home caregivers, depending on where they are receiving care. As such, these parties are responsible for taking the appropriate measures and precautions to prevent bedsores from developing, otherwise the victim and / or his or her family may contact a nursing home abuse lawyer to take legal action against the responsible party. Some ways in which these health complications can potentially be prevented include:

• Regularly moving a patient who is bedridden into different positions. For example, if they are lying on their back, they should be moved onto their side if possible. This can prevent pressure from being applied too long to one spot.
• Moving a patient or resident who is in a wheelchair to another position or having them do it themselves
• Getting wheelchairs that redistribute pressure
• Providing special mattresses and padding

In addition to these preventative methods, there are other things that healthcare practitioners can do to minimize a person’s chance of developing a bedsore. As potentially life-threatening conditions, caregivers should do all that is possible to make sure patients do not have increased risks of developing these health problems.
Carlos is a legal blogger who is passionate about raising awareness of the dangers posed by abusive situations found in neglectful nursing homes.