ELDER CARE

22 WELLNESS FOR ALL

Sleeping and sitting positions are important in preventing bedsores, especially for seniors with reduced mobility. By ANITA YEE

Posture is crucial in getting a good night’s rest. But what happens when posture leads to the development of bedsores — common

occurrences especially for the bedridden or those with reduced mobility? Bedsores are extreme conditions where the pressure on certain parts of the body is so strong that the skin and underlying tissues break. The result can be alarming:

often these pressure sores look like large gaping holes in the skin.

Also called pressure ulcers, these injuries manifest when someone is either lying in bed or sitting in a chair for prolonged periods of time. Sadly, this affliction affects the elderly the most because they are unable to move around as much as they should due to ageing, poor health, paralysis, sedation or illness.

However, anyone with limited mobility is at risk.

Risky business Bedsores can be serious, depending on how much the skin and tissues have been damaged. The more damaged the tissues are, the higher a sufferer’s susceptibility to infections — some of which are life-threatening such as sepsis (blood poisoning) and gangrene (tissue death).

These sores develop when blood flow is blocked and vital nutrients carried in the blood are cut off from a particular area. Bedsores can also occur

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due to repeated blood flow interruption. The location of the sores depends on the individual; the bedridden, for example, are likely to have sores forming in the lower back or tailbone. For the wheelchair-bound, common areas include the buttocks, between the shoulder blades, along the spine and on the backs of arms and legs where these limbs rest against the chair.

Prevention strategiesAs with most medical conditions, it is best to take preventive measures when it comes to bedsores. Regular skin inspections as well as good nutrition are crucial steps in preventing injury; as is changing the position of the body while at rest. These changes need to be frequent. Repositioning needs to be done to avoid stress on the skin, and body positions need to be such that there is a lower risk of pressure on vulnerable areas.

Immediate medical attention is required if there are signs of infection such as fever, drainage or foul odour from a sore, or increased heat and redness in the surrounding skin. In the early stages, pressure sores can be treated at home by relieving the pressure, cleaning the sores and applying the appropriate dressing. These will usually heal within several weeks. In later stages, professional medical treatment, and sometimes, even surgery, will be necessary.

Bedsores affect the elderly the most because they are

unable to move around as much as they

should due to ageing, poor health, paralysis,

sedation or illness.

www.comfortkeepers.com.sg Comfort Keepers specialises in providing Alzheimer and dementia care services.

www.healthnetcafe.com Offers a range of support services from voluntary welfare organisations and commercial companies in Singapore.

www.aic.sg/silverpages The Silver Pages is a one-stop online portal offering information and resources on long-term care.

www.caregivers.org.sg A resource centre specially for caregivers that offers information, support services and referrals.

>Caregiving resources

If bedsores are an issue, Lifeline Corporation CEO Michael Pang recommends a ripple or air mattress for the management and prevention of bedsores. The movement of air in the mattress will help to promote blood circulation and hence prevent the development of bedsores.

1 For additional support, cushions

fi lled with foam, gel or air can be used to support the head, neck or back. Some materials such as latex foam can even help regulate skin and body temperature.

Opt for a bed with an adjustable head end that allows the person using it to be supported when propped up into a seating position when required.

Ensure that the bed has collapsible, full-length safety sides as these are important to prevent the person using it from falling off the bed. The collapsible feature will allow for the easy transfer of the person from bed to wheelchair or vice versa.

Look for a bed that allows you to adjust the height. This allows easy transfers from bed to wheelchair or bath chair, and vice versa.

An alternative system to consider is overlays. “These are made of special visco-elastic material that has been clinically tested to prevent bedsores,” says Mr Pang.

Regardless of the systems chosen, Mr Pang stresses that regular turning of the patient is also recommended.

4 Find a bed with an adjustable

foot end to prevent the user from sliding off the bed when the head end is propped up.

Choosing the right bed for home nursing can make all the difference for an elderly.

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