When you make the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home facility, you expect that the staff and doctors on site will prioritize your loved one’s care. While many facilities provide comfortable places for your loved one to thrive, others fall short. Knowing how to spot early signs of nursing home abuse can make all the difference in keeping your loved one safe.
Many Chicago nursing home lawyers know that one of the early warning signs of ongoing abuse is the presence of bedsores. Here’s what to look for, why bedsores are such a problem, and what you should do if your loved one is suffering from them.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores are an injury that results from prolonged pressure on a certain part of the body. They typically start out mild, impacting only the top layer of skin. When they’re new, bedsores may resemble small red spots and typically cause itching, pain, and redness at the site of the injury.
While they’re easily treatable early on as long as the nursing home staff takes care to move your loved one to alleviate pressure, they can progress if your loved one is being neglected. The worse the bedsores are, the more painful they can become and the more severe the injury will be. In some instances, severe bedsores can lead to infection and impact your loved one’s muscles, making it even harder for them to move.
Where Bedsores Occur
Bedsores can occur on any part of the body provided the skin is exposed to prolonged periods of pressure. However, they tend to occur in the following areas:
- Lower back
- Buttocks
- The backs of arms
- The backs of legs
- Ankles
Wherever those bedsores appear, it’s indicative of the fact that your loved one has been spending too much time in one position and not given the care and attention they need to prevent bedsores in the first place.
How to Tell if Your Loved One Has Bedsores
The best way to tell if your loved one is suffering from bedsores is to ask them if possible. Get them to show you any spots that may be causing them discomfort. If your loved one is not able to communicate, try to inspect their extremities as best as possible. If you notice any red spots, open wounds, or visible blackening on the skin, discuss your concerns with the nursing home facility. Ideally, they should be able to provide you with proof that they’re treating your loved one’s injuries appropriately. If they can’t or they’re dismissive, speak to a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
If you notice early signs of bedsores, bring them to the attention of the nursing home facility. Responsible facilities will immediately take action to address your loved one’s condition. But if they don’t or their care seems inadequate, you’ll want to speak with a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer.
Reach Out to Anesi Ozmon
If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing neglect or abuse at their nursing home facility, you don’t have to push for a resolution on your own. Contact us online to speak with the experienced Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers at Anesi Ozmon and to schedule a free consultation.