Benefits For Decubitus Patients In Assisted Living Centers

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People living in senior citizen assisted living facilities often need help from the nursing staff for their activities of daily living, or ADLs. While many seniors who live in assisted living facilities only need minimal assistance, others may need more extensive staff assistance for grooming, bathing, and going to the bathroom. If your senior loved one has preexisting conditions such as diabetes, mobility problems, or poor circulation, or if they are incontinent, they may be at risk for developing decubitus ulcers (pressure ulcers). Here are some benefits the senior citizen assisted living staff can offer your loved one who has decubitus ulcers.

Incontinent Care Interventions

Decubitus ulcers often develop as a result of frequent skin contact with acidic urine and irritating fecal matter. If urine and stool are not quickly cleaned from the person's skin, decubitus ulcers may quickly develop near the perineal area and coccyx.

The nursing staff will take your loved one to the bathroom before and after meals and as needed throughout the day and night. This helps prevent incontinent episodes and lowers the risk of skin breakdown. If the resident does have an incontinent accident, the staff will quickly wash the perineal area with warm soapy water and dry the area. A barrier ointment such as petroleum jelly or zinc oxide ointment may also be applied to the skin to prevent urine and stool from irritating the skin. 

Repositioning And Dietary Measures

Pressure ulcers are often caused by being in the same position for long stretches of time. If your aging loved one has mobility or other health problems that prevent them from repositioning themselves, the assisted living center staff will help them.

The staff will reposition your loved one every couple of hours while they are in bed or in their wheelchair so that undue pressure does not build up on the bony prominences of the body. In addition, dietary measures will also be implemented for those who have decubitus ulcers. The dietary staff will provide meals comprised of lean protein, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients to help heal existing decubitus ulcers and prevent new ulcers from forming.

If your elderly loved one is in a senior citizen assisted living facility, consider the above benefits. When skincare interventions are implemented quickly, decubitus ulcers may be less likely to get larger, become painful, or get infected.

For more information about the benefits of senior citizen assisted living centers, contact a local facility.

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12 January 2023

assisted living following a stroke

When my mom had a stroke, I knew that things were never going to be the same. We were very fortunate that she lived so close to the hospital and that the neighbor was there visiting when it happened, because the outcome is not as bad as it could have been. Unfortunately, she needed a lot of extra care while she worked to recover from the damage that was done. I found a wonderful assisted living facility to place her in to get the help that she needed. If you have a loved one that has recently experienced the same thing, my blog could be quite helpful for you.