If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, it is important that you begin looking out for your best interests.

Most bed sores are preventable during in-home care

by | Jun 12, 2019 | Uncategorized

If your loved one resides at home but receives daily living assistance from a licensed in-home care provider, he or she likely has special care needs that impede his or her ability to live an independent lifestyle. It can be quite challenging to adapt to in-home care, not only regarding your loved one’s medical or physical care needs but also his or her personality and social preferences as well. Sadly, many elders have suffered personal injuries such as bed sores while relying on licensed care providers to assist their daily living needs.

You might think that getting bed sores is par for the course when a person spends a lot of time in bed. However, the overwhelming majority of bed sore cases are preventable. If your loved one has bed sores, it may be a sign that his or her care providers are being neglectful. Concerning bed sores or any other unexplained issue, you’ll definitely want to further investigate any situation that causes you to think your loved one is not getting the high quality care he or she deserves.

All patients can reasonably expect proper care

Substandard in-home care is never acceptable. The following list shows practical ways that most care providers know are helpful in preventing ulcers and bed sores:

  • Avoid complete immobility: Your loved one might have to spend a majority of his or her time in bed, but there’s no reason he or she has to stay in one position all the time. Immobility often causes bed sores, and turning a patient is one of the most common, easy ways to avoid such injuries.
  • Timing is important: Care providers should be turning your loved one at least every few hours. There are protocol standards in place, and all staff members are obligated to adhere to the regulations that help them keep patients safe from injury. 
  • Combating the effects of friction and gravity: Lifting or turning your loved one is helpful in preventing bed sores. However, care providers must use the training they’ve received to do so in a manner that reduces the chances of bed sores occurring, such as using a draw sheet when lifting or repositioning a patient.
  • Nutrition also matters: There is ample evidence that nutrition is significant in preventing pressure ulcers and bed sores. If you suspect that care providers are not providing proper nutrition for your loved one, it definitely warrants immediate attention.

Other issues, such as sweat, urine or feces can irritate your loved one’s skin, thus causing inflammation or sores. When you visit or speak with your family member, it’s a good idea to make sure that his or her care specialist is providing proper hygiene care as needed.

If your family member has suffered bed sores because of negligence

Your family deserves answers when inquiring about concerning issues, such as noxious odors on bed linens, unexplained marks on your loved one’s body or any other situation that makes you think substandard care is being provided. Bed sores are often one of many signs that in-home care providers have been negligent. Many adult children of Illinois elders have sought justice through the civil court system on behalf of aging parents who suffered injuries because of in-home nursing negligence.

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