My mother is 98 (advanced dementia) and maybe 80lb. Although the staff is diligent and catches pressure sores in the early stages, I’m researching what else may help.
I’ve heard the undulating air mattresses are effective. How obvious and loud are they? My mother is the type to freak out about change. I have a sheepskin handy. I believe she is currently on a gel mat provided by the home.
I plan to discuss options with the staff when I visit in a few days. But I’m fairly clueless. What has worked well for you?
It is amazing. I recommend along with everything else mentioned here: rotating every 2 hours, transfers to seating, and keeping dry. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W9HK237/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yes, she is bed bound. The staff is good about coaxing her into a wheelchair. She requires full support so she doesn’t slump or fall out. Nice to change her scenery and get her outdoors but she is mostly asleep, in bed.
She had pain and reddening of a spot 2nd last time I visited, but staff really stays on top of things and it is now gone.
What can I put on elderly bed sores? ___________________
Clean open sores with water or a saltwater (saline) solution each time the dressing is changed. Putting on a bandage. A bandage speeds healing by keeping the wound moist. It also creates a barrier against infection and keeps skin around it dry.
What is the best thing to prevent bed sores?
Relieve the Pressure__________________________________________________
Turning a patient who is bed-bound is the most important thing you can do to prevent pressure ulcers from occurring. Frequent turning alternates areas of pressure on bony areas, such as the lower back, hips, elbows, and heels.
Causes of pressure sores____________________________________________
Pressure sores happen if you can’t move around and so stay in one position for a long time. We normally move about constantly, even in our sleep. This stops pressure sores developing.
People who are unable to move around tend to put pressure on the same areas of the body for a long time. If you are ill, bedridden or in a wheelchair, you are at risk of getting pressure sores.
THIS INCREASES RISK of pressure sores:
being unable to move around easily due to old age or illness
weight loss - you may have less padding over bony areas
sliding down in a bed or chair - pressure on the skin cuts off blood supply because the skin is being pulled in different directions (called shearing)
friction or rubbing of the skin, for example against sheets
a poor diet
lack of fluid (dehydration)
moist skin - for example, due to sweating or incontinence
other medical conditions, such as diabetes
having a previous pressure ulcer
Preventing pressure sores
It is much better to prevent pressure sores than to treat them.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) have guidelines on pressure sores.
Tips to prevent pressure sores /
Tips can help to prevent pressure sores_________________________________
Relieving direct pressure
change position and keep moving as much as possible
stand up to relieve pressure if you can
ask your carer to reposition you regularly if you can't move
change position at least every 2 hours
use special pressure relieving mattresses and cushions
don't drag your heels or elbows when moving in your bed or chair
Skincare
keep your skin clean and dry
avoid scented soaps as they can be more drying
moisturise your skin thoroughly after washing
avoid using talcum powder as this dries the skins natural oils
keep your skin well moisturized
General tip________________________________________________________
make sure the bedsheets are smooth and not wrinkled when you are lying in bed
sheets should be cotton or silk like fabric
eat a well balanced diet
have at least 2 litres of fluid a day
tell med provider if you notice skin changes or discomfort as soon as possible
It was a bit noisy to begin with but I got used to the noise. It became more like "white noise" in the background. (I will say when he died and the bed was shut off I could not sleep that night because I missed the noise so I plugged the bed back in.)
When you turn the bed off the mattress deflated so if you were to get back into bed you have to turn it on first. It did not take long to inflate. Made, the bed looked like any other hospital bed.
With many of the air mattresses that either move, or inflate you can not use a lot of extra layers on them as it inhibits airflow. So no waterproof mattress pads, probably no thicker sheepskin and no extra gel pads. (If you can not blow air through it the airflow will not work properly.)
The aides are doing exactly right for your mother if she's still mobile.
The air matress is a good idea. Let your mother freak out. She'll freak out a lot more if she's in pain from a pressure sore. She'll get used to the air matress.
Ask the doctor, if it is indicated he/she can write an order for it.
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