Pressure ulcers may be a warning sign of neglect or abuse of family members in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, occur when skin in bony areas of the body is compressed for too long. Bony, or ossified, areas of the body prone to pressure ulcers include the buttocks, heels, and ankles.

These sores often happen if elderly patients, who are unable to adjust and move by themselves, stay in the place for a long period of time.

Different types of pressure can cause the sores, including nonstop pressure, shear incidents, and friction damage. Nonstop pressure occurs if an individual is in the same position for too long. The friction between the patient’s skin and the surface they are sitting or laying on may stop the blood flow, causing the area to receive less oxygen and leading to the development of a pressure ulcer.

Shear incidents occur when one surface has movement and the other is at a standstill. This can occur if a patient sinks down a chair or bed. The friction of the prolonged sliding affects the skin in a similar manner as in nonstop pressure. Blood flow is compromised, oxygen is limited, and a sore can form.

Friction damage often occurs when a patient is being moved from a chair to a bed or between other positions. If the nursing staff is not aware of the possible friction, it can damage the patient. The friction between aging skin and another surface can lead to damage and pressure ulcers.

Although pressure ulcers can develop easily, they are easily prevented with proper care and nursing homes have a responsibility to provide this level of care for their residents. It is recommended that patients should change position every 15 minutes to avoid pressure ulcers.

For patients who cannot move on their own need to be moved by a nurse or staff member every two hours or so. Since pressure ulcers are easy to avoid with proper care, pressure ulcers can be a warning sign that patients and residents in nursing homes may be experiencing neglect or abuse.

Stage one and two pressure ulcers are easy to treat and are generally not life-threatening. However, even sores caught early can take weeks or months to heal. The pressure ulcers must undergo debridement and regular cleaning. Additionally, further pressure situations must be avoided.

Stage three or four pressure ulcers are harder to treat and can lead to death. In these stages, the sore becomes a deep wound potentially exposing muscles or bones. With deep, exposed wounds, infection is extremely likely to occur and can be life-threatening. Patients with advanced pressure ulcers should receive immediate medical treatment and be removed from the facility for their own safety.

If you or a loved one developed pressure ulcers due to nursing home neglect, you may be eligible for legal action. A nursing home neglect lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more.