subject: Bed Sores Can Be A Death Sentence and a Sign of Neglect [print this page] Bed Sores Can Be A Death Sentence and a Sign of Neglect
Most any elder abuse lawyer would be the first to tell you that bed sores can be a death sentence; and a sign of neglect. In fact, according to the statistics, there are as many as 60,000 elderly people that die every year from bed sore complications. There are also many more seniors that suffer from bed sores in care facilities. This includes care facilities in cities like Torrance, or Laguna Woods, California.
The bed sore begins as a red, purple or blue area on the skin and is located near a bone or cartilage. This tender area of skin can turn into blisters or abrasions, which will then turn into a crater in the skin. This can damage the soft tissue, the bones, joints, muscles and tendons and infection is common with bed sores. The signs of bed sore infections will be marked by a foul smell, fever and irritation around the area where the skin has been damaged.
Bed sores unfortunately are not uncommon for the elderly resident of a long term care facility and is often a sign of elderly neglect or abuse. This is because seniors that are at risk for bed sores that are restricted to a wheelchair or that are bed ridden and will need to be repositioned often. They need to be kept dry and clean, their skin needs to be moisturized and they need to have physical therapy exercises to help keep their circulation at a level to protect the skin from braking down. There are also types of equipment that can help to reduce the prolonged pressure on any one area of the skin.
Bed sores can be a death sentence and a sign of neglect and can occur for a number of reasons. Bed sores result due to pressure that is applied to the skin that cuts off blood supply, which leads to tissue death. This tissue death is caused by bones applying the pressure against the bed or wheelchair surface. Bed sores can be made worse in a care facility when adequate care is provided, improper nutrition and personal care.
The family of the elderly resident of a care facility that has acquired bed sores they believe could be as the result of elder neglect needs to consult an experienced Torrance elder neglect attorney to hold the care facility responsible. This can be a death sentence if the proper care is not provided to the elderly neglected resident.
