Arizona Disability Advocates for Bed and Pressure Sores

Bed sores, also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers, are one of the most common, and one of the most easily preventable, results of neglect in residential group homes. Many physically disabled group home residents must rely on staff members to help them move frequently and prevent bed sores. If staff members fail to properly move residents, bed sores can develop and cause debilitating pain and eventual death.

Up to 23% of all long-term care residents develop bed sores at some point. In addition, bed sores are responsible for up to 8% of all deaths in long-term care facilities. If a resident’s care plan is being followed properly, there should be no reason for bed sores to occur. That means that these occurrences of bed sores were entirely preventable and most likely the result of neglect on the part of group home staff members.

If you have a loved one who resides in a group home facility in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale or elsewhere in Maricopa County, you should immediately seek medical attention and treatment. In addition, you should contact an Arizona group home abuse attorney in order to hold the group home and its staff members responsible.

Definition of Bed Sores

Bed sores are caused by a lack of blood flow to a specific area of the skin resulting from prolonged pressure on one area of the body. They most commonly occur on areas with prominent bones beneath thin layers of skin, such as the tailbone, heels, elbows and shoulder blades.

Bed sores often occur in the physically disabled because they are not able to move independently and reposition themselves. If a group home resident is not able to move independently, their care plan should require that staff members help to frequently reposition them in their beds or chairs to prevent the development of bed sores.

Stages of Bed Sores

Bed sores often go undetected, because clothing or bed sheets cover the affected areas of the body. If a bed sore develops, it is important that it be identified early, as it will continue to become worse and could lead to debilitating pain, severe injury, or death. Bed sores can be divided into four stages:

Stage 1: The bed sore may itch or hurt, and the affected area of the skin will appear red, purple, or blue.

Stage 2: The bed sore will start to look like a blister or a cut.

Stage 3: The tissue damage deepens and the skin sinks in, creating a “crater-like” appearance.

Stage 4: Muscles, bones, and joints become affected.

Identifying and Treating Bed Sores

If your loved one’s care plans requires that a staff member help the resident to move or reposition themselves, make sure that the plan is being followed by checking log books and asking your loved one. Also, be sure to frequently ask them if they have any pain, particularly in the tailbone, heels, elbows, and shoulder blades. You may also want to check these areas yourself to ensure bed sores are not developing.

If your loved one has developed a bed sore, seek medical attention immediately. If caught early enough, bed sores can be treated.

Contact an Arizona Group Home Abuse Lawyer

After seeking medical treatment for your loved one’s bed sore, you should also work to hold the group home staff and administration accountable for causing them. The will not only allow your loved one to receive compensation for their treatment and pain and suffering, but may help to prevent future resident abuse. It is best to consult with an Arizona group home abuse lawyer to discuss your case. For more information, please visit http://www.grouphomeabuselawyer.com/