Bedsores are painful lesions frequently appearing on elderly adults. These injuries can become very serious, especially if left untreated. They can lead to severe infections of the bone and skin can be life-threatening.
In some situations, bedsores are in fact a result of nursing home abuse or neglect. Your loved one has rights and our attorneys will work to make sure those rights were not violated.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores are sometimes referred to as “pressure ulcers.” These sores form when someone has been in the same physical position for too long, such as immobile in bed or in a wheelchair. Areas affected by the sores are usually in boney spots, such as the elbows, shoulders, hips, heels, or tailbone. As the elder remains in the same position, the pressure on the flesh leads to tissue death, as the area is deprived of oxygen and blood.
Bedsores are problematic because they don’t heal well and can cause life-threatening infections. They are also very painful and difficult to treat in advanced stages.
Bedsores as A Result of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Because bedsores can be somewhat common and unrelated to abuse, it’s difficult to know whether to be alarmed. But there are certain things that can help you evaluate whether your elder is being mistreated. For example, if the bedsores are a new occurrence and your loved one didn’t have them before living in the facility, then that may be a sign of a problem.
Certain federal regulations require caregivers to prevent bedsores in their residents and patients. Facilities that are understaffed, staffed with negligent employees, or who are not following the law may be more likely to have residents with painful and advanced bedsores. Elders with certain health problems who are at an increased risk must have a diligent care plan, most likely including regular inspection for bedsores and prevention by repositioning the resident at regular intervals.
Speak with a Columbia Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers Attorney Today
You deserve and are entitled to answers about your loved one’s physical condition while under the care of nursing home staff.
If you have reason to believe your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse because of bedsores, please contact the experienced, compassionate attorneys at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, at or contact us online today. Our Columbia bedsores and pressure ulcers lawyers are passionate about advocating on behalf of abused and neglected elders and nursing home residents.
