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If you notice lesions on your elderly loved one, you might actually be looking at physical proof of negligence. These lesions could be something known colloquially as bedsores, or pressure ulcers in medical terminology.

But what are bedsores? How they come to be may serve as the main indication of neglect in your loved one’s care facility.

Where do bedsores occur?

Johns Hopkins Medicine takes a look at pressure ulcers, more commonly referred to by the name bedsores. These ulcers occur due to continued pressure on an area of the body, i.e. from sitting or lying down without moving over an extended period of time. Pressure ulcers can show up in less than a day, though they often only get severe if left untreated for days. Due to the type of injury, the most common locations include the joints, heels, back and tailbone.

How do they highlight neglect?

Bedsores indicate the possibility of neglect due to the fact that it means your loved one has spent hours at a time in the same position. Staff might have left them in a wheelchair for hours, or they could have left your loved one in bed without any assistance. This is especially harmful to people with low or no mobility who rely entirely on others to get around.

Of course, neglect often occurs accidentally as an effect of having an overfull and under-staffed facility. But even if neglect comes as an accident, it still negatively impacts your loved one. If you notice pressure ulcers and believe your loved one might have experienced neglectful care, you should consider reaching out for legal help to look into avenues of seeking compensation for the harm they underwent.