Bedsores

Preventing Bedsores

If the person you’re caring for spends a lot of time on the chair or bed, it is important for them to change positions often to prevent bedsores.
Bedsores are areas of the skin that are under pressure from lying in bed, sitting in a wheelchair, or wearing a cast for a long time. If not prevented, these bedsores can lead to serious skin, muscle, or bone damage in only a few days. You help prevent bedsores by following the steps below.

Check The Skin

Check these areas often for redness–it’s the first sign of a bedsore forming. Talk to the primary healthcare provider if you see anything unusual. The parts of the body most at risk for bedsores are:

• Back of the head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Hips
• Lower back
• Tailbone
• Bottom
• Heels

Change Positions

Remind the person you’re caring for to change their position often or shift their weight every 15 minutes. If they need help changing positions, set an alarm at least every 2 hours. Here is a list of tips to change positions if they’re sitting or lying down. You can do these in any order.

Sitting

Help them gently rock side to side
Gently bring their arms in front to help them bend forward
Help lift their knees up
Put a pillow under one hip to relieve pressure–rotate sides every 2 hours
Place a pillow behind the lower back

Laying Down

Change positions from lying on the back to the side
When on the side side, use pillows behind the back or between the knees for support
When on the back, place pillows under the lower legs so the heels are floating off the bed without the heels resting on the pillow, as this can still lead to sores
Use pillows to prop up the head.

Protect The Skin

Support healthy skin to further protect it and prevent bedsores by following these tips:

Use creams to avoid dry skin.
Clean the skin if any body fluid gets in contact with it after using the bathroom.
Do not rub or cause friction on the skin, especially when changing positions.
Support a healthy and balanced diet with enough protein and vitamins.
Ensure good fluid intake.