Pressure ulcers are common to people that remain in the same position for long periods of time, interrupting the blood supply to the affected areas.

Pressure ulcers are caused by sustained pressure being placed on a particular part of the body, usually: heel, malleolus, sacred region, elbow, head and ear lobe.

Change the position of your family member every two hours.

You can extend this timing to 3 hours if the condition of your family member is favourable.

Make sure that bed sheets are smooth and not wrinkled as this can add to friction on the skin.

You should turn very carefully your family member, thus preventing friction with sheet and chair.

Using anti-sores mattresses and pillows that help protecting body parts with exposed bones will still demand for regular position changing.

When bathing avoid intense scrubbing.

Apply body cream and gently massage the skin, after bath, since hydration works as a protective shield and the massage helps to improve blood circulation.

Keep the skin clean and dry, since humidity potentiates the appearance of pressure ulcers.

If your family member uses a diaper you should change it whenever necessary.

You should give small amounts of liquids to your family member even if he/she doesn’t feel thirsty, to avoid dehydration.

If you notice a reddened area in your family member, contact the nurse and avoid positioning the patient to that side.

It is important that your family member takes regular meals with meat, fish, eggs and dairy products (protein), since they will help preventing ulcers.

Often the dietary supplements might be necessary.

Movie picture Universidade de S. Paulo

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