Nursing Home Bed Sores

In the majority of cases, bedsores can be prevented with the proper amount of treatment, and bedsores which are pre-existing can occur prior to someone being admitted into a nursing home can be treated, as long as a caregiver provides adequate medical management.

However, unfortunately, there are many senior citizens who are in pain and suffering senselessly because of negligence of caregivers and staff members in a nursing home.

In many instances, in fact, a senior citizen who has never endured nursing home bed sores may ultimately develop a bedsore at a nursing home which neglects to provide quality care; these bedsores, unfortunately, can worsen rapidly.

State and federal laws mandate that nursing facilities offer a standard quality of healthcare and treatment to residents of a nursing home all the time; and if there are law violations, the nursing facility may be held liable for damages.

The most typical reason for nursing home bed sores is when a resident has to spend extensive time in the exact position.

It hardly matters if the resident is lying down or sitting, bedsores can happen in either position, and will only worsen over a course of time without the proper measures taken.

Caregivers, in addition, must ensure to change any bandages for a bedsore in a prompt manner, and apply the necessary medications on time.

If residents of a nursing home are left with old bandages for too long, and lack medication, the pressure sores will not heal adequately, and will gradually worsen.

Patients in the nursing home who require necessary assistance to use the restroom and/or endure problems with incontinence must be thoroughly monitored.

Clothes that are soiled should be immediately changed, as bedsores may develop if you leave them on for too long.

Wearing clothing which are soiled by feces and urine can result in open wounds, which may develop into pressure sores.

Caregivers at a nursing home must ensure the following:

Residents at a nursing home are always monitored; immobile residents at a nursing home are frequently repositioned; padding, pillows, and other pressure-reducing devices are used; residents at a nursing home with urinary or fecal incontinence are regularly changed; and medications are applied and bandages are changed on schedule.

The most typical areas in which pressure sores occur usually depend on the confinement issue of a resident in a nursing home.


Residents in a nursing home, for instance, confined to a wheelchair or chair for long time durations will normally have pressure sores on the back of arms and legs, on the buttocks or tailbone, and/or around the spine and shoulders.

For nursing home residents confined to their beds, nursing home bed sores may appear on the sides and back of the head, on the outer ears, lower back, hips, shoulders, ankles, tailbone, heels, and/or the skin behind the knees directly.

If a family member has developed bedsores, and you feel it is a direct result of negligence by the nursing home, it is crucial to retain the legal services of an esteemed attorney who can assist you, and help you to become aware of your legal rights and options.

Contact us for a free consultation or call Anzalone Law Firm PLLC, at: 603.548.3797.