Pressure Sores: A Problem of Aging

     When one progresses through life from birth to childhood, puberty, young adulthood then to the decline from middle age to late age, it can not be helped that one should think about late age or old age. Being active and independent to being stagnant and dependent.

     Growing old is inevitable, every one goes through these bodily function changes. One important factor is the integumentary system or the skin. This is due to the fact that the skin encompases the whole body from head to foot. When one ages the skin goes thru a number of changes:

     – Decrease in thickness

     – Decrease in subcuteneous adipose tissue

     - Decrease in vascularity

     - Loss of sweat and sebaceous glands

     These loss and decrease leave the elderly open to a number of diseases like heat stroke, hypothermia and most importantly pressure sores. A pressure sore or most commonly called bed sores occur in people of any age who are bedridden, chair bound or those unable to turn and reposition themselves. But they frequently affect the elderly who are already deteriorating or slowing down.

     Bed sores occur over boney projections where pressure is concentrated. The lower back, elbows, heel and hips are good places for bed sores to develope. These sore are painful and can cause death.

     A bed sore can be caused by cutting off the supply to a particular area for around 2-3 hours. The skin in this area will die. When this occurs the skin breaks down and an open sore or ulcer forms. Once this happens bacteria may enter through the broken skin and cause an infection.

     Most people feel pain and itching. But to those people whose senses are dulled like the elderly pressure sores are painless thus go unnoticed. That is why the elderly should be vigilant and assess their skin from time to time to check for possible sores.

     Prevention is the best way for dealing with pressure sores. It is best best that all caregivers, nurses, aides and family members constantly inspect the skin of a bedridden or chair bound patient for redness or discoloration. Any of these signs when assessed means the need for repositioning. The constant shifting of weight from one side to the other every 2-3 hours helps getting blood flow to the skin.

     Treating pressure sores is more difficult than preventing them. A well balanced diet with ample amount of protien is recommended. High potency vitamins and mineral supplements as well as Vitamin C and zinc helps with healing. When sores are deep specially in the elderly infection often follows. It is best that antibiotics be prescribed.

     Lastly, tender loving care plus vigilance are the most important factors when dealing with the elderly who is suffering from bed sores. It is the love and encouragement given by family members and caregivers who get them going. it is also this love that make them care about life and make them want to keep on going.