(925) 829-8770
or contact us online
Donate Now
Donate Now Contact 925.829.8770
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
    • Where We Serve
    • Careers
    • Press Room
  • SERVICES
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Hospice Care
      • Hospice Care FAQs
      • Hospice Patient / Family Referral
    • Grief Support
    • Dementia Support
    • Family Caregiver Support
    • Advanced Illness Care
  • GRIEF SUPPORT
    • For Adults
    • For Children and Teens
  • VOLUNTEER
    • Program Overview
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Volunteer Interest Form
    • Volunteer FAQs
  • DONATE
    • Online Donation Form
    • Season of Hope Ornaments
    • Ways to Donate
    • Legacy Giving
    • Donating Securities
    • Leadership Circles
  • EVENTS & RESOURCES
    • Family Caregiver Education Series
    • Town Hall Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Publications
    • Testimonial Videos
    • Helpful Information
  • PHYSICIAN REFERRALS
    • Hospice Referral
    • Eligibility Criteria
    • Education & Training
  • BLOG

View All Blogs
  • Filter by tags

    • Caregiver Mistakes Series
    • Caregiver Tips
    • Dementia
    • Hope's Story
    • Hospice
    • Senior care
    • social work
    • Spiritual care
October 1st, 2019

Avoiding Pressure Ulcers

Caregivers need to keep a close eye on elderly patients to avoid pressure ulcers from occurring. Pressure ulcers (also called decubiti, or bedsores) are blisters or breaks in the skin caused when the body’s weight presses blood out of a specific area. Pressure ulcers are commonly found in bedridden patients or people with mobility challenges who do not get up to move frequently enough. According to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel estimates that 2.5 million American develop pressure ulcers each year.

The most common areas for sores are the bony areas—tail bone, hips, heels, and elbows. Damage can range from a change in color in unbroken skin to deep wounds that extend down to the muscle or even bone. How much time it takes a pressure sore to heal depends on how advanced it is. Prevention is key.

The skin breakdown starts from the inside and works up to the surface. Damage can happen in as little as 15 minutes. For people with fair skin, the skin tone may change to dark purple or red and does not turn pale under fingertip pressure. For people with dark skin, this area may become darker than normal.

Stages of Pressure ulcers

Preventing Pressure Ulcers

This is one case where an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Pressure sores that are not treated can lead to hospitalization and might require skin grafts.

  • preventing pressure ulcersCheck the skin daily. (Bath time is ideal.)
  • Provide a well-balanced diet with enough vitamin C, zinc, and protein.
  • Keep skin dry and clean. Urine left on the skin can cause sores and infection.
  • Use a barrier ointment to protect the skin.
  • Keep clothing loose.
  • If a patient is bedridden, he or she should be turned at least every 2 hours. Alter positions as well, instead of simply rolling from side to side.
  • Smooth wrinkles out of sheets. Excessive rubbing of the sheet against skin can cause a sore.
  • Lightly tape foam to bony sections of the body using paper medical tape. (Strong adhesive will likely damage and even tear thin skin.)
  • Use flannel or all-cotton sheets to absorb moisture.
  • Avoid using a plastic mattress covers or Chux pads if they cause the patient to sweat.
  • Provide exercise as much as possible.

Treating Pressure Ulcers

If you see bedsores in your daily checking of the skin, alert the patient’s healthcare team. The patient will need to be closely observed to ensure the sore is not worsening. Reduce the chance of further infection by wearing disposable gloves when you provide care.

  • Do not let the person lie on pressure sores. As much as possible, position his or her bony parts so there is little or no pressure weight on them. You might have to get creative with pillows or a 1-inch foam pad to support the body.
  • Follow the healthcare team’s treatment plan in applying medication to sores and bandaging the areas to protect them while they heal.

Family Caregiver Education Series

Hope’s Family Caregiver Education Series is available to any member of the community who is currently engaging as a caregiver to a loved one living with a terminal diagnosis or a disabling chronic condition, regardless of whether your loved one is a Hope Hospice patient. The free 12-class series covers a variety of topics and provides training, education, support, and resources relevant to family caregivers. Plus, much like a support group, these classes provide an opportunity to connect with others who have shared experiences.

LEARN MORE

Read More

  • Caregiver Tips on Assisting With Personal Hygiene
  • Flu Prevention for Seniors

Hope Hospice Uses Animatronic Pets to Comfort Isolated Patients

DUBLIN, CA – Hope Hospice is using animatronic pets to help lessen the impact that pandemic-related isolation has had on […]

An animatronic cat is presented to an elderly man.

Hope Hospice Animatronic Pet Program for Dementia Care

Hope Hospice is using animatronic pets to help lessen the impact that pandemic-related isolation has had on its patients. Joy […]

HOSPICE CARE
  • Hospice Care FAQs
  • Hospice Patient / Family Referral
GRIEF SUPPORT
  • Grief Support
VOLUNTEERING
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Volunteer FAQs
  • Volunteer Application
DONATE
ABOUT
  • Our Service Area
  • Careers
CLASSES & RESOURCES
  • Family Caregiver Education Series
  • Helpful Information
FOR HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONALS
  • Education & Training
  • Eligibility Criteria
Hope Hospice Logo

6377 Clark Avenue
Suite 100

Dublin, CA 94568-3024

Phone: (925) 829-8770

Main FAX: (925) 829-0868

Joint Commission Accredited State Licensed, Medicare and Medi-cal Certified

Joint Commission Accredited
State Licensed, Medicare and
Medi-Cal Certified

We Honor Veterans Badge
California Hospice and Palliative Care Association Badge signifying our membership.

Hope Hospice Honors Veterans

COPYRIGHT © 2019 HOPE HOSPICE INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRIVACY POLICY – TERMS OF USE

MENU
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
    • Where We Serve
    • Careers
    • Press Room
  • SERVICES
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Hospice Care
      • Hospice Care FAQs
      • Hospice Patient / Family Referral
    • Grief Support
    • Dementia Support
    • Family Caregiver Support
    • Advanced Illness Care
  • GRIEF SUPPORT
    • For Adults
    • For Children and Teens
  • VOLUNTEER
    • Program Overview
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Volunteer Interest Form
    • Volunteer FAQs
  • DONATE
    • Online Donation Form
    • Season of Hope Ornaments
    • Ways to Donate
    • Legacy Giving
    • Donating Securities
    • Leadership Circles
  • EVENTS & RESOURCES
    • Family Caregiver Education Series
    • Town Hall Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Publications
    • Testimonial Videos
    • Helpful Information
  • PHYSICIAN REFERRALS
    • Hospice Referral
    • Eligibility Criteria
    • Education & Training
  • BLOG

LET HOPE HELP

Phone: (925) 829-8770

How shall we contact you?

I would like information on:

Hospice Care
Home Health
Grief Support
Volunteering
Consultation
Other