VISITING ANGELS AUBURN, NH 603-483-8999
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Preventing Loved Ones from Developing Bed Sores in Greater Auburn, NH

When your aging loved one is confined to a bed or a wheelchair for a considerable amount of time, you may need to check for bed sores. It is important to be on the lookout for bed sores because while they may not sound terrible, they can lead to painful and potentially harmful complications.

How Visiting Angels of Auburn’s Elderly Assistance Can Help

Visiting Angels of Auburn can help provide one-on-one elderly assistance to your loved one to protect them from bed sores as well as other injuries they may experience that would degrade their health and quality of life.

What Are Bed Sores?

A bed sore is an injury in the skin and tissue beneath that is brought about by pressure over a long period of time. Many times, bed sores can be found on areas of the body that are bonier, like the tailbone, hips, heels, or ankles. These are often good places to check.

Seniors who spend a substantial amount of time in bed can find sores on their shoulder blades, their lower back, the backs of their knees, and their head. On the other hand, people in wheelchairs often develop bed sores on their limbs where they rest against the chair as well as on their buttocks, spine, and shoulder blades. Visiting Angels of Auburn offers elderly assistance services that help seniors avoid bed sores.

There are other risk factors for bed sores that you should be aware of, including:

  • Exposure to waste matter can make the skin more vulnerable.
  • Poor nutrition and poor hydration can expose the skin and body to injury.
  • Poor blood flow can prevent the skin from getting the right amount of nutrients and oxygen which can also make the skin vulnerable to damage.
  • Decreased sensations from laying or sitting too long can be harmful because it can cause people to forget to reposition.

Bed sores can cause serious health issues and lead to dangerous infections in skin, bone, and joints. Infection can cause problems in itself, as the body can respond to infection with sepsis, which can be life-threatening.

Preventing Bed Sores

To prevent your loved one from getting bed sores, it is important to keep an eye out for early signs. These signs include:

  • Tender areas
  • Puss-like draining
  • Temperature differences in certain areas of the skin
  • Swelling or changes in skin color

To provide quality elderly assistance to your loved one, it is vital to keep your loved one from developing bed sores.

The key to preventing bedsores is proper skin care and repositioning. Repositioning can help alleviate the pressure that can cause bed sores. Try to reposition your loved one every hour or so, and make sure the material your loved one is positioned on is made of pressure-relieving material, such as foam. It is also important that the elevation of your relative’s head isn’t raised more than 30 degrees to prevent them from sliding off the bed and injuring themselves. If your loved one is in a wheelchair, it can be helpful to have a doctor check the wheelchair cushion.

Keeping the skin healthy includes washing often, especially with a soft cloth and gentle soap. Using lotion and skin protectants are also important to use in areas where bed sores may occur.

Learn More About Our One-on-One Care

When your loved one spends a lot of time in bed or in a wheelchair, the care can be demanding. Visiting Angels of Auburn can provide elderly assistance for your loved one all hours of the day and night. You can sleep soundly knowing that your relative will be safe and well-cared for with our elderly assistance caregivers. If your loved one is immobile and needs additional care, it may be time to consider our in-home elderly assistance at Visiting Angels of Auburn. To learn more, call our senior care agency at 603-483-8999 today.

Serving Manchester, Derry, Concord, Auburn NH and the Surrounding Area

Visiting Angels AUBURN, NH
14 Hookset Rd,
Auburn, NH 03032
Phone: 603-483-8999

Serving Manchester, Derry, Concord, Auburn NH and the Surrounding Area

Visiting Angels AUBURN, NH
14 Hookset Rd,
Auburn, NH 03032
Phone: 603-483-8999