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General / Alleviating Bed Sores Can Be Done
By Marie Santangelo, Staff Writer
Your loved one may have at-home nursing care, but
if you are around for bath time, both you and the
home health aide should check together. If
your loved one is in a rehab facility or nursing
home, they will probably check for bedsores on
admission. This eliminates their liability,
and more importantly, allows for aggressive
treatment to reverse the progression of the bedsore.
Keeping skin clean and dry is a “common sense”
option that may be difficult to do if your loved one
has any degree of incontinence. Sanitary pants
that wick away moisture can help, as well as any
prescribed medication that will control incontinence
that is due to muscle spasms. The physician
has to evaluate the degree of incontinence before
prescribing any medication.
Staying mobile can be impossible for someone who
is confined to a wheelchair or bed, and that’s where
a trip to the medical supply store may be in order.
Caregivers can research for products online that
will offer physical support with less pressure
exerted on a single area. Wheelchairs have
come a long way since their creation, and the
options for seating are numerous. Your loved
one may have a “basic” wheelchair for
transportation, but you can still look into possible
additions that can be purchased over the counter.
Again, prevention is always easier than
correction where health is concerned. Proper
nutrition which may include vitamin supplements is
also helpful. The body’s ability to repair
itself requires adequate food and water.
Individuals who don’t receive proper nutrition can
have problems with healing. If your loved one
has trouble getting the correct amounts of food into
them, look into liquid vitamin supplementation, or
ask the doctor for a prescription for supplements.
Enzyme supplements help the body absorb what it
takes in, and may be useful also.
Position And Location
Bedsores can occur in a variety of points on the
body, most often where bone and muscle create higher
pressure “hot spots.” The hips and spine are
the two most mentioned areas, but the back of the
head, knees, ankles and heels are other locations
that are sensitive.
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