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Writer's pictureNicole J. Zuvich

Is that bedsore?

Updated: Sep 27, 2022

When you leave your elderly loved one in the care of another person or facility, it can feel like one of the hardest decisions you have ever made. For many people, they will suffer from an additional layer of guilt if their loved one ends up suffering from neglect at the hands of their caretaker.

This could potentially be the case if you notice your loved one suffering from bedsores. But what are these, and how do they reflect the possibility of neglect?

What causes bedsores?

Johns Hopkins Medicine takes a look at bedsores, also known by the name “pressure ulcers”. These are an unfortunately common occurrence among the elderly. This issue occurs when the victim stays in one position for too long, such as lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair without moving.

When you remain unmoving with parts of your body pressed against a surface for an extended period of time, it can create wounds at those points of contact. This is why pressure ulcers are more common on the heels, wrists, joints, back and tailbone.

How do they indicate neglect?

Pressure ulcers may indicate signs of neglect due to the fact that they form when your loved one remains in one spot for too long. At a good care facility where they receive the attention they need, a member of staff will always stay on hand to help rotate them in bed if they are currently bedridden, or help them get in and out of a wheelchair. If your loved one has pressure ulcers, it might indicate that staff has left them on their own for an extended amount of time.

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