Columbia Aged Care

Bed sores can be a common problem in elderly people, which can lead to pain and discomfort for your loved one. Bed sores are the result of prolonged pressure to the skin, which prevents a sufficient amount of blood flow and nutrients to the skin tissue. Ulcerations or sores then develop on the skin, typically over bony prominences.

Bedsores can develop if your loved one is bedridden or sitting for a prolonged period of time without being properly repositioned. Common areas for bed sores to look out for are hipbones, lower back, tail-bone, knees and shoulders. 

www.bedsores.org has provided some useful information on the risk factors for developing bedsores.

Confinement to bed, chair or wheelchair
If your loved one is unable to move themselves then they can develop bedsores in as little as 1-2 hours if the pressure is not relieved.

Loss of bowel or bladder control
Moisture on your loved ones skin from urine or perspiration can irritate the skin.

Poor nutrition or dehydration
If your loved one’s skin is not properly nourished bed sores can develop.

Carers must be aware of these risk factors when caring for their loved ones in order to prevent the unnecessary development of bed sores. Bedsores can be prevented if your loved one is repositioned frequently, bathed appropriately and any incontinence problems assessed and treated.

Remember that everyone is different and may have different risk factors and treatment options.

Read the full article here.

The physical and mental changes we will go through as a result of aging are inevitable.  As our loved ones reach the point of old age before us and begin to experience these (often unwanted) changes, it is important we empathise with them and offer our support.

To be able to do this we need to understand what sort of changes old age may potentially bring on. 'Aging - Common ailments of the elderly' on the Ezine Articles website describes the three most common ailments experienced by the elderly.  

Aging can affect many of the members of the family. As a member of the family grows old, there will be lots of changes in the physical, emotional and mental health of the aging person. Most of our family members are not able to cope with the sudden change in the behavior of the aging person. Most aging people experience physical ailments, three of the most common ailments are listed below.

Alzheimer's disease
Is a very common disease among old people. It is often referred to as "the death of the mind before the body". Alzheimer's disease is commonly found to people aging 75 and up.

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease usually suffers also from a lack of acetylcholine, which is a brain chemical used to promote brain activity. What's bad about Alzheimer's disease is that, its symptoms only occur approximately after three years prior to the initial diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease causes the person to lose his perceptions of reality until he becomes incoherent, and forgetful.

Osteoporosis
During the first 3 decades of the life of a person, the process of bone loss and bone formation in his body is continuous. But, by the time a person reaches 30 years old, things start to change in his body, more bone mass is lost in his body than formed. Bone mass reduction is normal, but if the situation is severe, it is then called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis does not choose what gender it affects, it affects both men and women of old age.

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