Are Pressure Ulcers a Sign of Elder Abuse?

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. They often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone. Pressure ulcers are a significant concern in nursing homes, as they can be indicative of poor care and neglect.

In severe cases, they may even be a sign of abuse and neglect, necessitating immediate reporting to local authorities to protect vulnerable elderly individuals. If you notice pressure ulcers or sores on an elder you know, such as a family member, it may be appropriate to take legal action against those who have hurt them. If you need assistance handling your claim, feel free to contact Knowles Law Firm to receive a free consultation and retain our support.

What Are Pressure Ulcers?

Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure sores or bed sores, are injuries that occur when prolonged pressure on the skin limits blood flow to the area. This restricted blood flow causes tissue damage and can lead to the skin and underlying tissues dying.

Pressure ulcers are a common issue in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals. They can be a significant indicator of elder abuse or neglect, as they often result from inadequate care and attention to the needs of elderly patients. Proper management and prevention are crucial to avoid these painful and potentially life-threatening injuries.

Stages of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are categorized into four stages based on the severity of the damage.

• Stage 1: The affected area does not lighten when pressure is applied, indicating reduced blood supply. The skin may appear red and feel warm to the touch.
• Stage 2: The ulcer forms a shallow, open wound resembling a crater, with a high risk of infection. The surrounding tissue may be discolored.
• Stage 3: The sore extends deeper into the tissue, potentially exposing fat. The tissue around and inside the sore may appear black due to compromised blood flow.
• Stage 4: This is the most severe stage, with a deep wound that can expose muscle, bone, or tendons. The area is at high risk of serious infection, with blackened tissue, red edges, pus, and other signs of severe damage.

Understanding these stages is crucial for early detection and effective treatment of pressure ulcers.

Symptoms and Complications

The symptoms of bed sores start mildly and worsen over time if not treated. In the early stages, the skin may appear discolored (red or purple) and feel painful to the touch. The affected area might also feel warmer or cooler than the surrounding skin.

Without prompt treatment, the bedsore can develop into an open wound, leaking pus and blood. As the condition progresses, necrosis (death of healthy tissue) can occur, turning the skin black. Severe bed sores can penetrate deep into the underlying tissue, potentially exposing bone and leading to serious complications such as infections and sepsis. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent these severe outcomes.

Pressure Ulcers as a Sign of Elder Abuse

While not all bedsores are preventable, advanced pressure injuries often indicate neglect. A pressure ulcer should rarely progress to stage 4 if proper wound care is provided. If you suspect that your loved one’s pressure ulcer resulted from negligent care or neglect, it is crucial to act quickly.

Reporting suspected nursing home abuse or neglect to your local long-term care ombudsman is a good first step. Additionally, you can report neglect to the California Department of Public Health (DPH) or consult with an elder abuse lawyer to explore legal options. Protecting your loved one from further harm is paramount, and taking swift action can help ensure they receive the care they deserve.

Additional Risk Factors Related to Pressure Ulcers

Elder abuse is a terrible crime that affects tens of thousands of senior citizens around the US. It refers to the intentional harming of an elderly individual (someone 65 or older). Elder abuse can affect a victim physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or financially. Elder abuse can present itself in many ways. One is the physical neglect of an elderly person in someone else’s care, such as malnourishment, unattended injuries, infections, and pressure ulcers. Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to pressure ulcers due to limited mobility and other risk factors.

Decubitus ulcers, commonly known as bedsores, are skin injuries that can affect underlying tissues – sometimes going as deep as the bone. They can develop due to prolonged pressure or friction on one part of the body. This can interrupt the flow of blood to the body part, making the skin more vulnerable to damage and injuries. This can be enough to cause an ulcer or painful sore on the skin. The presence of dead tissue can hinder recovery and may necessitate medical intervention if not adequately addressed.

Pressure ulcers can be painful and lead to life-threatening health problems. Depending on the stage a caregiver allows the bedsore to progress, it could affect the deep tissues of the body, including the muscles and cartilage. It could ultimately lead to health complications such as cellulitis, bone infections, joint infections, sepsis, and a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Poor nutrition is a critical risk factor for the development and healing of pressure ulcers, particularly in elderly patients. It is a caregiver’s responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent pressure ulcers, as well as to properly tend to them if they develop. Understanding the stages of pressure injury is essential for proper care and prevention. Various risk factors, including limited mobility, fragile skin, advanced age, incontinence, and malnutrition, contribute to the occurrence of pressure ulcers.

How Are Developing Pressure Ulcers Prevented?

Pressure ulcers are almost always preventable. This specific type of ulcer only arises from persistent pressure, friction, or shearing on one part of the body. They are most common in places that typically connect with the most pressure on a bed or wheelchair, such as the sit bones, sacrum, hips, heels, spine, shoulder blades, and the back of the skull. Health care workers, nursing home employees, and official caregivers should know about bedsores and how to reasonably prevent them in residents who are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs.

Most facilities that care for people at risk of developing pressure ulcers, including the elderly and people with mobility limitations, have protocols in place to prevent bedsores. These protocols can include implementing schedules of when caregivers should turn over or exercise residents or patients to keep blood flowing evenly.

Providing proper nourishment and hydration can also help prevent pressure ulcers by keeping the skin strong and healthy. Proper nutrition, which includes essential vitamins and minerals, is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and accelerating recovery from pressure ulcers. Keeping an elderly person clean is also important, as this can prevent the skin from staying wet for long periods – something that can increase the risk of skin tears, sores, and infections.

When Should You File Nursing Home Abuse Cases?

Although pressure ulcers do not automatically mean the patient or nursing home resident is suffering from elder abuse, it is a red flag. The bedsore might have developed due to physical abuse or neglect. Neglect is more common, as bringing an elder abuse claim takes proving the offender intentionally meant to injure or harm your loved one.

Nursing home abuse cases can lead to severe consequences, such as bedsores resulting from neglect. An injury claim based on negligence, however, could match your loved one’s situation. You might have grounds for a negligence claim if you believe someone neglected to properly care for your loved one, leading to the development of the pressure ulcer.

Nursing home neglect can take many forms, including allowing bedsores, pressure ulcers, or infections to form. Hire an elder abuse lawyer to help your family establish that a reasonable and prudent facility or staff member would have prevented the pressure ulcer. The courts may grant your loved one a financial award if your lawyer can fulfill this burden of proof. The failure to provide a reasonable level of care to an elderly individual could mean payment for related medical bills, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, and wrongful death. Speak to an Omaha personal injury lawyer today about a potential elder abuse or neglect claim if you or a loved one has a pressure ulcer.

How Knowles Law Firm Can Assist With Nursing Home Abuse Cases

When you suspect elder abuse, it’s essential to act quickly to protect your family member and hold negligent parties accountable. At Knowles Law Firm, we have extensive experience in personal injury law and have successfully secured multi-million dollar settlements for our clients. We are committed to delivering personalized, diligent legal representation to achieve swift and fair resolutions.

Our approach involves a thorough investigation of your case to build compelling evidence. If your loved one has suffered from pressure ulcers due to neglect, we may help you pursue compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Contact us today for assistance by calling (402) 431-9000 or visiting our contact form.