Bedsores are one of the most common signs of neglect in a nursing home. Some residents are not able to move frequently on their own. When caregivers fail to regularly rotate and adjust a resident with mobility limitations, bedsores can develop due to long-term pressure.
However, families of residents might have heard about bedsores without fully understanding just how dangerous they can be. Being informed about your loved one’s health can help you take care of them properly – even if the nursing home has not.
Symptoms and complications of bedsores
Possible effects of bedsores include:
- Pain and discomfort
- Superficial infections of skin and soft tissue
- Deep infections of bones and joints
- Cancer, which may develop if the bedsore does not heal over a long period of time
Serious infections from bedsores could also cause sepsis, which is a potentially fatal medical emergency. Pennsylvania nursing homes have a responsibility to prevent bedsores by examining and shifting residents. If a bedsore develops, staff must provide appropriate treatment to prevent further damage.
Keeping your loved one safe
Families should be able to trust nursing home staff to protect residents. Unfortunately, nursing homes can suffer from a variety of problems, such as understaffing, poor training or lack of administrative oversight.
It is important to check your loved one for signs of neglect and abuse like bedsores. The most common areas for bedsores to develop is near bony areas such as the ankles, heels, scalp, shoulders, tailbone or hips. If there are troubling marks, take action to ensure that your loved one receives the care they deserve.
If you do find evidence of bedsores and your loved one has suffered complications, medical malpractice could be a factor. In fact, there may be other forms of damage due to neglect. In this case, you can learn about how to get justice and compensation for your loved one.