Detecting and preventing bedsores for seniors

If you’re the caregiver for an older adult who has limited mobility or is bedridden, knowing how to detect and prevent bedsores is essential. In this article, our team explains what bedsores are, why they’re so serious, and how you can keep the seniors in your life bedsore-free. 

What is a bedsore?

Sometimes called a pressure sore or a pressure ulcer, a bed sore is an open wound that develops on the surface of the skin after prolonged pressure from contact with a bone. If you’ve ever spent a long time lying in one position, you probably felt pressure points on certain parts of your body like hips or shoulders. 

Older adults who are confined to their beds often spend many consecutive hours in the same position, and this causes their bones to put pressure on their internal tissues. If they continue staying in a certain position, their circulation gets cut off and the skin breaks down, resulting in an open wound known as a bedsore. Bedsores most commonly develop on elbows, heels, tailbone, hips, and shoulder blades. 

What are some contributing factors of bedsores?

Being underweight: It’s normal for some seniors to lose weight as they age, and weight loss can also be a side effect of certain medications. A lower body weight means there is less protection against the bones pressing against the skin, meaning bedsores can develop more easily. 

Poor nutrition: We all need certain vitamins and minerals to keep our skin and our tissues strong and healthy. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about a multivitamin or a daily supplement they can take, and ensure they’re eating enough nutritious food on a daily basis. 

Certain memory impairments: Seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive impairments often have trouble communicating and may not be able to indicate that they are in pain. If your elderly loved one isn’t able to tell you when they’re feeling any discomfort, it’s especially important that you check them for bedsores on a regular basis. 

Detecting bedsores in seniors

While caring for your loved one, do a daily body scan and ask them if they feel pain or discomfort anywhere. Be on the lookout for swelling, changes in skin texture or color, or tender areas. If your loved one isn’t able to communicate with you about how they feel, and you suspect a bedsore may be developing, call their doctor immediately. Bedsores can worsen quickly, so time is of the essence.  

Preventing bedsores in seniors

•  

• If possible, get your loved one out of bed and get them moving. Support them on short walks if they can, or move them to their wheelchair and take them out for a little bit. Changing their position will eliminate long, sustained pressure on certain areas of their body, reducing the chance bedsores will develop. 
• Use special mattresses and cushions that reduce pressure. Ask your loved one’s doctor if they can recommend mattresses and bedding for people at risk of getting bedsores. 
• Help them change positions at least every two hours. Even a slight rotation can alleviate pressure on a certain part of the body, so changing positions on a regular basis is crucial. 

• Keep their skin clean, dry, and well-moisturized. 

At our full-service assisted living communities across New Jersey, we have medical professionals and experienced caregivers on-site 24 hours a day to assist your senior loved one. If mom or dad is prone to bedsores, our dedicated associates will monitor current bedsores closely and alleviate them through proven treatments. They will also keep your senior parent moving to prevent new ones from developing. 

For more information about our assisted living services across the state, please contact our team today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/palliative-care/detecting-and-preventing-bedsores-for-seniors/

Why Staying at Home Might Not be the Best Option

When our parents reach a certain age it’s natural to start feeling concerned about their well being, especially if they have limited mobility or certain health conditions. The reality of modern life means we’re all busy with jobs, childcare, and other obligations, so we aren’t able to be with our elderly parents around the clock – which means it may be time to look for a safer alternative. 

It’s a cultural cliche at this point, but the vast majority of older adults will put up some resistance when you suggest it might be time to consider moving into an assisted living community. These conversations can be difficult to have, so in this article our team talks through the five most common myths seniors believe about staying in their homes. 

Senior living communities are for seniors who are sick

While there may be residents who have certain medical conditions or who have complex medical needs, many assisted living communities are full of healthy seniors who are enjoying living independently. The outdated nursing home stereotypes simply aren’t true anymore, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) give older adults the freedom to explore new hobbies and interests in an environment that can support their daily needs. 

I can just get the care I need at home

Unfortunately, arranging for in-home care for older adults can be cost-prohibitive and complicated. And if the home health aide isn’t able to attend on a certain day, you’re left scrambling trying to make an alternative plan, working around your family’s busy lives. 

Reassure your loved one that if they move into a CCRC they’ll still have freedom and control over their life, while also having access to the medical care they need 24/7. 

I need to stay in my home if I want to stay connected with my friends

The senior years can be very isolating for many older adults who remain at home. Maintaining an active social circle is vital for seniors’ mental, emotional, and physical health. Senior living communities are an excellent place to build new friendships, expand your social circle, and form life-long bonds with like-minded people who are living in the same building. 

My current home is the best place for me to stay after I retire

We all go through phases in life, and transitioning into assisted living is a big phase that comes with many changes. If your senior parent has mobility issues, health issues, or certain medical needs, then remind them that they’d be best served in an environment where medical professionals are on site around the clock. A CCRC offers the best of both worlds: a safe and supportive environment that allows them to live a full, independent life. 

It’s better for me financially to remain at home

Even if the mortgage has been paid off, upkeep costs for homeowners can quickly become burdensome. Combine that with the cost of any in-home medical care your senior parent might need, and it becomes obvious that an assisted living community makes more sense from a financial standpoint as well. 

Making the decision to move mom or dad into a CCRC isn’t an easy one, but it’s often the best choice for them and for the whole family. For more information about our CCRC Independent Living Community in Sussex County, please contact our team today or visit our website at: https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/assisted-living/why-staying-at-home-might-not-be-the-best-option/