What you should know about preventing bedsores in the elderly.

Bedsores, also called pressure sores or pressure ulcers, occur when there is prolonged pressure on the skin causing injury, including damaging the underlying tissue. The primary areas where these sores arise is on the tail bone (coccyx), heels, hips, and ankle bones.

When the patient is thin, the bones are prominent, and they have less cushioning around their bones. Bedsores can be painful and add further stress to your loved one. Here are some key things you need to know about how to treat bed sores at home.

Massage warm lotion to any red areas of affected skin for several minutes when you first notice them. This helps to increase the circulation and the blood supply to that area and can help keep any bedsores from worsening.

Try to reposition your loved one about every two hours during the day. It may be more difficult to turn them through the night, but try to do it at least once, perhaps when you get up to go to the bathroom.

Knowing how to prevent bedsores in the elderly can make a world of difference in their life, so it is important to be aware of this.