What Are Pressure Sores and Ulcers?

When it comes to choosing the right equipment and furniture solutions for your needs, it’s crucial to think about all aspects of comfort and safety that might be relevant to the person or people you’re caring for. For instance, a lot of elderly individuals, and disabled people with limited mobility can suffer from a range of uncomfortable conditions when exposed to the wrong moving and handling practices.

One common issue for limited mobility individuals is the presence of “pressure sores” and pressure ulcers. Sores and ulcers can be graded according to their severity. While some are only slightly uncomfortable and require minimal professional attention, some are potentially life-threatening, and should not be allowed to progress at any cost.

Since we’re all about improving quality of life at HLS Healthcare, we’re going to offer a quick insight into the world of pressure sores and ulcers, and what you might need to know.

Explaining Pressure Sores and Ulcers

Otherwise known as bedsores, pressure sores occur when pressure is constantly applied to the skin in the same place. This can occur when a large amount of pressure is applied all at once in a short amount of time, or it might happen when a small amount of pressure is applied over a much longer period. If someone suffers from a loss of skin moisture, perhaps due to incontinence or sweating, the effects of that pressure can quickly grow more significant, and the skin will be more likely to develop sores.

Bedsores occur because pressure cuts the flow of blood to a specific area, as well as oxygen, leading to the breakdown of skin. Individuals who are frequently confined to their beds by health conditions and those with limited mobility are particularly susceptible to bedsores and ulcers. Some of the most common areas that are affected by these conditions include:

• Shoulders and shoulder blades
• Spine and bottom of spine
• Ankles
• Knees
• Elbows
• Toes
• Rims of the ears

People in wheelchairs are often more likely to develop sores on arms and legs, their buttocks, and the back of the hip.

Preventing and Treating Bedsores

As with most things in the world of healthcare, the best form of treatment is often prevention. At HLS Healthcare, we source and sell a wide variety of products that are designed to make moving and handling processes simple. With our range of equipment and furniture, you can move people more frequently into different positions, to help with a range of issues, including the reduction of bedsore risks.

Alleviating pressure on key areas where the person in question is more likely to suffer from a sore can help to keep sores at bay. Our everyday products will allow you to protect various areas from damage, by helping to move residents more efficiently. Not only are our products designed for the comfort of the people that they’re made for, but they also make managing an individual with limited mobility safer and more convenient for the care provider.

If you’re monitoring the progress of pressure sores and movement in a particular individual, it’s a good idea to make sure that you let medical professionals know, and keep a monitoring chart nearby so that you can regularly update the information.

Pressure sores and ulcers will always be a common possibility for people with limited mobility. However, with good planning, preventive measures, and the high-quality equipment available from HLS Healthcare, you can ensure that people are more comfortable while reducing unnecessary risks to their health.

If you have any questions about ceiling hoist solutions for the disabled or any of our health care solutions please contact us directly on 1300 931 893