When a Wyoming family places a loved one in a nursing home, it is a serious decision. It takes time, research and significant financial resources to get full-time care, and patients and their families have the right to expect quality care. The development of bedsores on a resident could indicate that he or she is not getting appropriate support and care from staff.
Bedsores are sores that develop from continual pressure on a specific spot. This often happens when a bedridden patient is not moved often enough. Nursing home residents who need help getting up or are completely unable to move should be turned and rotated on a regular basis as part of their ongoing care. This will prevent skin irritations that eventually become bedsores.
When bedsores state to develop, the skin will start to look red, and the spot may feel warm to the touch or hard. After that, a blister may develop or an open sore. If this goes untreated, the spot will become difficult to treat. Once bedsores reach the fourth stage, they can be fatal for a patient. Care providers should be vigilant in monitoring the skin of an immobile patient, cleaning regularly, providing movement therapy and treating spots that look compromised.
The development of bedsores is a troubling sign for a Wyoming family who placed a loved one in a nursing home. If this happens, it could be a sign of nursing home neglect, which may be grounds for a civil claim against the facility. After noticing problematic signs, it may be helpful to speak with an attorney about concerns.
