Tips for Preventing Bedsores

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When seniors are confined to bed for any period of time, they’re at risk for developing bedsores. These sores are uncomfortable, and when they become severe, they can lead to serious complications, such as bacterial infections. For this reason, bedsore prevention should be an important aspect of any care plan. 

 

Schedule Regular Repositioning

Bedsores are most often caused by continuous pressure on a senior’s delicate skin. Frequent position changes can stop this pressure from occurring on a specific area over a prolonged time. As a caregiver, you should plan to reposition your senior loved one’s body every two hours if he or she is in a bed. For seniors in wheelchairs, aim to move them every 30 minutes. 

A professional caregiver can be a fantastic resource when you need help lifting and repositioning your loved one. Elder care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.

 

Provide Leg Support

A senior’s hip bones, buttocks, and heels are common sites of bedsores due to the way the body comes into contact with the bed. To protect these areas, use a pillow or foam pad to help your loved one avoid lying directly on these areas. A cushion can also be placed between the legs and ankles to prevent skin-to-skin contact that could lead to bedsores. 

 

Provide Assistance with Exercise

Seniors who are bedridden may be unmotivated or physically incapable of exercising alone. Yet movement is essential for promoting the blood circulation necessary to prevent bedsores. Encourage blood flow to the skin by helping your loved one move his or her arms and legs throughout the day. When doing so, be careful to avoid causing friction between the skin and the bed linens. Arm and leg lifts are often recommended forms of exercise for bedsore prevention. 

For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Fort Lauderdale, FL, Assisting Hands Home Care is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break.

 

Conduct Regular Sore Checks

If they’re caught in the earliest stages, bedsores often go away once the pressure is relieved. Check your loved one’s body throughout the day for signs of a developing sore. Any red, bruised, flaky, or itchy areas should be cause for concern. If these are found, it’s important to immediately reposition your loved one and continue monitoring the areas until they’ve healed. 

Being a family caregiver for a senior loved one can be challenging, especially if you have other responsibilities. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional home care, Fort Lauderdale Assisting Hands Home Care should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Assisting Hands Home Care team at (754) 900-5102 today.