Older adults are at an increased risk for numerous health problems, including physical injuries and cognitive decline. One of the most common concerns in caring for the elderly is bed sores. 

Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are a type of wound that happens on the skin in areas where there is a lot of pressure, typically when someone is unconscious, bedridden, or otherwise immobile for long periods. The pressure causes skin damage and breakdown.

If you are a caretaker for an elderly loved one, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of bed sores and preventative techniques. Keep reading to learn how to prevent bed sores in your aging loved one. 

What Causes Elderly Bed Sores?

Older adults are especially susceptible to bed sores, especially frail seniors with limited mobility. The term comes from the main cause of these types of wounds: someone bedridden for an extended period. 

Seniors experience bed sores more often than any other demographic because they are often confined to their beds for prolonged periods. Bed sores are particularly common in older adults in the later stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Elderly bed sores are also common among seniors who have lost their ability to walk and use a wheelchair. 

These are the three main causes of bed sores in the elderly: 

• Pressure from sitting or lying for too long without changing position
• Friction or rubbing, such as dragging someone across bedsheets
• Shearing that occurs when the person’s body slides in a chair or bed and the skin is stretched and therefore pulls away from its supportive tissue

Symptoms of Elderly Bed Sores

Bed sores can develop quickly, even within a week of prolonged pressure. The first signs of bed sores occur while the skin is still intact and before visible wounds appear. 

Here are the signs and symptoms of skin breakdown: 

• Changes in skin color and texture
• Unusual changes in skin temperature
• Swollen skin 
• Unusual sensations
• Bruising
• Blisters or abrasions 

While bed sores are treatable, they may not always fully heal. If you notice that your loved one appears to have bed sores, it’s important to seek treatment right away. Without treatment, the wounds could lead to devastating complications.

How to Prevent Bed Sores in the Elderly

Knowing that bed sores are common and have serious consequences, it’s important to take preventative measures to ensure they do not occur in the first place. As a caregiver, it’s important to remember that preventing a serious medical problem is better than treating it after the damage has already been done. 

It is possible to prevent bed sores in seniors with the help of special products and positioning techniques. Here are five measures you can take to prevent your loved one from experiencing bed sores. 

1. Repositioning every one to two hours

Repositioning is the number one tip for preventing bed sores. If your loved one has limited mobility or is bedridden, it’s important to reposition them at least once every two hours. The tailbone, hips, pelvic “sit bones,” back, and any area of the head that makes contact with a surface are at added risk for bed sores. 

If they are still ambulatory, try to get them to do light exercise or alternate standing/sitting/walking when possible to help promote circulation. 

2. Add extra cushioning 

Using cushions and pillows to protect at-risk areas can help prevent bed sores by decreasing pressure. You can add extra pillows under points of high pressure, put pillows between the legs in bed, purchase special mattress overlays, or pad a chair or wheelchair with pressure sore prevention products.

3. Keep skin dry, clean, and moisturized

Incontinence increases the risk of pressure sores because acids and enzymes will hasten excoriation and degradation of the skin. And while it is important to keep the skin dry, overly dry and cracked skin can pose problems. The right lotions and barrier creams can make the skin more resilient against skin breakdown. Only use mild soaps and warm water to clean their skin to help prevent inflammation and infection. 

4. Encourage healthy eating  

A good diet with adequate protein, vitamin C, and zinc can help pressure sores heal. If an adequate diet is not possible, multivitamin/mineral supplements can be beneficial. A healthy diet is also important in maintaining a healthy weight. Significant weight loss can lead to less body fat and muscle mass which help cushion affected bony areas. On the other hand, excess weight adds additional stress to the body’s pressure points. 

5. Perform regular skin checks for pressure sore symptoms 

Among these other tips, it is important to check your loved one’s skin frequently for any developing signs or symptoms of pressure sores. Stage 1 pressure sores can develop in as little as a few hours. If left untreated for a long time, they will only worsen. Catching potential pressure sores early increases the odds of healing. 

The Importance of Wound Care Services

If your senior loved one already has pressure sores, it is important to treat them while continuing to practice preventative measures. If the wounds are caught early, you can treat them at home by reducing pressure and cleaning and dressing them. 

More serious bed sores will require professional care. In some extreme cases, surgery may be required. At Senior Health Care Solutions, we know the importance of treating bed sores in the elderly, which is why we take wound care seriously. 

Help Manage Bed Sores with Senior Health Care Solutions 

If you find yourself struggling with how to prevent bed sores while caring for a loved one at home, we can help. We offer personal care services where members of our staff provide assistance in the home. We also offer  skilled nursing services at multiple locations in NEPA. 

Contact us at (570) 969-2188 to learn more about the wound care services at any of our Senior Health Care Solutions centers!