Senior Citizens are at Risk of Developing Severe Bedsores

Bedsores, also known as pressure sores and pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. Senior Citizens and Dependent Adults with limited mobility are at risk of developing bedsores if they are not cared for properly by healthcare staff at nursing homes or other healthcare facilities. Bedsores are most likely found on bony areas of the body such as the hips, tailbones, and ankles. Bedsores can develop quickly, and can lead to other serious health complications. Bedsores destroy the skin, the underlying muscle tissue, and bone, and may cause severe infections that can even be fatal.

People with medical conditions that affect their ability to change positions can develop bedsores when they are confined to a wheel chair or a bed for long periods of time.

The Cartwright Law Firm holds nursing homes and assisted living facilities responsible for allowing their patients and residents to develop bedsores. Email us today or call 415-433-0444.

Bedsores Can be Prevented

With the proper treatment, no senior citizen or dependent adult should develop bedsores. Caregivers need to recognize the delicate condition many of their patients are in and must assist in repositioning those patients as often as necessary to prevent painful and gruesome bedsores.

Bedsores are Caused by Nursing Home Neglect

Many nursing homes and healthcare facilities have policies in place to prevent bedsores. However, those policies are rarely followed by healthcare staff. At a minimum, patients should be repositioned every two hours, or every hour if a patient is confined to a wheel chair.

Shockingly, bedsores often go unidentified and untreated. Nursing home caregivers frequently lack the proper training to identify and treat bedsores, leaving patients in constant pain. Family members need to be proactive to ensure that their loved ones receive the proper care they deserve.

If you or your family member has suffered from bedsores, you need to act quickly. Contact The Cartwright Law Firm today at 415-433-0444. We are here to protect you and your family members’ rights to receive proper care.