For example, turn the patient from the right side to the left. You can also use a pillow to prop him up. If you are stuck in bed yourself, you can invest in a trapeze bar and reposition yourself. This only works if you are physically strong enough to use such a device. If the patient has certain kinds of injuries, such as those to the spinal cord, make sure he is moved in such a way as to not cause more injury. [3] X Research source Blaustein, Daniel, and Javaheri, Ashkam. Pressure Ulcers: Prevention. Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician 2008, 78(10), 1186-1194 [4] X Research source

When lying down, make sure the bed is not elevated more than 30 degrees as to avoid sliding and friction. If the patient can sit all the way up, this will more than likely not occur. [5] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source [6] X Research source Blaustein, Daniel, and Javaheri, Ashkam. Pressure Ulcers: Prevention. Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician 2008, 78(10), 1186-1194

If you are unsure on which to buy, ask your doctor for recommendations for the particular situation. You can also use a mattress pad or cushions to help protect the bony areas of the patient. [8] X Research source Cooper, Karen. Treatment of Pressure Ulcers Critical Care Nurse. 2013, 33 (6)

Make sure you check the dietary restriction of any patient you deal with. Each patient is assessed individually for his specific nutritional needs. [11] X Research source Blaustein, Daniel, and Javaheri, Ashkam. Pressure Ulcers: Prevention. Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician 2008, 78(10), 1186-1194

You can also use juice to stay hydrated and keep up nutrition as well. [13] X Trustworthy Source Michigan Medicine The University of Michigan’s medical center, which provides patient care, supports research, and educates the public on health topics Go to source

Dry gauze should be packed on top of it. The skin around the sores should not be wet like the wound. [17] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source The type of dressing will depend on the size and depth of the of the wound and the amount of drainage. [18] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source Talk to the doctor about the best dressing and technique to use for the particular patient.

The doctor may order an enzymatic or chemical dead skin removal solution to facilitate healing. The removal of the dead skin through surgical means can be necessary in many cases if there is a lot of dead tissue. [20] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Other methods for cleaning bed sores include enzymatic agents, maggots, or high-pressure water jets. [21] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source

Around 70% of bed sores occur in patients over the age of 65. The remainder occur in younger patients who suffer from issues that leave them in the bed. [24] X Research source Blaustein, Daniel, and Javaheri, Ashkam. Pressure Ulcers: Prevention. Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician 2008, 78(10), 1186-1194

They develop due to unrelenting pressure to the area, which blocks the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, causing cell death. [26] X Research source Cooper, Karen. Treatment of Pressure Ulcers Critical Care Nurse. 2013, 33 (6) This can happen despite a caregiver’s best attempt at preventing them. However, some cases develop due to inattention and elder abuse. [27] X Research source Burnell, Jason, Achenbaum, Andrew W, and Murphy, Kathleen Pace. Prevention and Early Identification of Elder Abuse. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 130 (4), 743-759 Elder abuse is a public health concern despite being grossly under-reported and under-detected.

Stage I is when the sore is an area of redness over a bony prominence, that will not turn pale when pressed with your finger. The redness will not go away or get better. [29] X Research source Stage II entails the loss of partial skin thickness to the outermost layer of skin. Often a shallow wound with a pink-red base will occur at the site with a clear fluid filled blister overlying this shallow wound. [30] X Research source Stage III consists of a wound with total loss of the thickness to the outer layer of skin, which cuts into the underlying layer of skin. The wound is not too severe, does not continue into the muscle layers and bone, and the tendons and muscles are not exposed. [31] X Research source Stage IV is when all the outer and inner layers of skin are gone, exposing the underlying muscle layers. The bones, tendons, and muscles may be exposed. If there is no underlying fat in the area, the sores, such as those on the ears or nose that occur from respiratory devices, are classified stage IV as well. [32] X Research source