In Arizona, it is important to identify bed sores because to identify them could mean nursing home neglect.  Nursing home residents are susceptible to developing bed sores, and bed sores can be fatal.  Each year, more seniors enter Arizona nursing homes, causing staffing to sometimes be an issue.  This, in turn, means your loved one may not receive the care they deserve.  Residents confined to beds or wheelchairs need to be turned and moved frequently in order to prevent bed sores from developing.

A bed sore is a lesion or pressured ulcer that develops in the body.  They range from an abrasion-like wound to a deep puncture wound.  They look like a pink discoloration on the skin that develops when there is pressure on that area.  A severe bed sore can cut through the skin to the bone.  A more severe bed sore can leave a deep hole in the body that looks fleshy and raw.  Bed sores look like a burn, they blister, they break the skin and they are dry and itchy.

Bed sores are caused by leaving a person in bed without moving them, pressure on the area, temperature change, old age and bad nutrition.  They form on the buttocks, the stomach, legs, elbows, knees and ankles.  If you have a loved one in a nursing home, keep an eye on them at all times and make sure they are getting the care and attention they deserve.