Bed Sores Are More Likely To Occur With Bedridden Less Ambulatory Elders

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 2 min read

In recent years, Assisted Living facilities have evolved by providing a new “resort-style “quality of independent living standard for seniors. Hence, bedsores, or the medical term, decubitus ulcer, isn’t exactly a topic you think of when considering the dream facility for yourself or a loved one.

Many assisted living facilities however have special care units on premise that provide Alzheimer, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitative and Hospice care services. Their residents have access to specialized, skilled nursing and other services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, laboratory services, and use of other health-related equipment. These on premise units offer care for the less ambulatory residents and those with serious illnesses.

Bedsores owe their name to the observation that patients, who were bedridden and not properly repositioned, would often develop ulcerations or sores on their skin, typically over bony prominences.

Decubitus Ulcers are localized areas of tissue injury that develop when soft tissue is compressed between a bony prominence, (a hip for example) and an external surface for prolonged periods. The external surface may be a mattress, a chair or wheelchair, or even other parts of the body.

The soft tissues of the body, such as skin and muscle, depend upon blood vessels to carry nutrients to the tissues, and to remove waste products. Bedsores result when prolonged pressure prevents sufficient blood flow to supply the tissues with nutrients. The resulting bedsore represents the death of the involved soft tissues.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.