Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

Nursing Home Pressure Sores and Ulcers (Bedsores)

Bedsores, also known as pressure sores and ulcers, are painful and dangerous open wounds that develop when a bedridden elderly patient has remained in the same position in bed for a prolonged period of time. The sores occur when pressure on the bony points of the body (such as the tailbone, elbows, heels, or buttocks) causes the skin to break down, crack, and become infected. These wounds can progress through the skin and down to the bone, causing bone infection and, in severe cases, requiring amputation. Still, with proper medical care and treatment, bedsores are preventable.

If an elderly bedridden patient cannot move without assistance, the caregiver is responsible for preventing bedsores by making sure that the patient changes position every two hours. A good mattress and additional padding can also aid in the protection of pressure points and prevention of bedsores.  An additional cause of bedsores is moisture. It is vital that elderly patients receive good personal hygiene care, including keeping skin clean and dry, and free from urine and feces.  If your loved one suffers from incontinence (loss of bowel or bladder control), the bed sheets must be kept clean and dry to prevent bedsores, and the patient should be taken to the bathroom regularly.

Bedsores also can result from poor nutrition affecting skin health. Elderly people generally have poor skin quality, which makes them more susceptible to developing bedsores. If a caregiver is not providing good nutrition to the elderly patient, bedsores are more likely to develop.  

An early warning sign of a bedsore is a reddened area, especially at a pressure point such as the tailbone, buttocks, elbows, or heels.   If you observe reddened areas on your loved one, talk to the caregiving facility about your concerns. Always investigate thoroughly.

If you do not receive good answers to your questions, you may need to report your concerns to one or more agencies, such as the:

• California Department of Health Services (DHS)
• California Department of Aging (CDA)
• Department of Social Services (DSS)

These agencies can conduct investigations into your concerns.

If your loved one is suffering from bedsores that you believe have resulted from abuse and neglect by a caregiver or facility, please click here to contact a Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff elder law attorneywho can help you investigate your claim.

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