The Mayo Clinic defines a bedsore as “are injuries to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin.” Bedsores may also be referred to as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers.

According to the Mayo Clinic the three contributing factors for bedsores are pressure, friction, and shear. Bedsores are cause by pressure against skin that then limits blood flow to the skin. Limited movement also causes skin to become more vulnerable to damage and eventually lead to the development of bedsores. 

Those who have difficulty moving and can’t change positions easily while seated or in bed are most at risk of developing bed sores.

To help prevent bedsores you can frequently reposition yourself or whoever is at risk of bedsores in order to avoid stress on the skin. Other strategies to help prevent bedsores include taking care of your ski, maintaining good nutrition and fluid intake.

Yes, bedsores can be a sign of elder abuse. If your loved one is a resident of a nursing home the staff should be providing them will proper care. This includes moving those who are immobile or unable to move on their own, in order to prevent bedsores from happening.

Bedsores that are not treated properly may become infected. According to the Mayo Clinic complications include cellulitis, sepsis, and cancer.

Bedsores occur in certain areas if the body, specifically bony areas that lack fat. The lower back, heels and hips are all common places that bedsores can develop. There are four stages of bedsores, it is best to catch bedsores early on as they get worse with time. In the earliest stage the area will look red and feel warm to touch. Someone might complain that the area burns, hurts or itches. According to Johns Hopkins medicine it is best to treat these complaints seriously before the bedsores open and become true wounds.

If you suspect that you have spotted a bedsore on your loved one take them to a doctor so that they can get proper medical attention. If the bedsore developed while your loved one was in a nursing home the staff and doctor should be notified.