First, bed sores, decubitus uclers, or pressure ulcers…..are all the same thing and they can be horrible and painful. Pressure sores can range from red areas on the surface of the skin (Stage I) to severe tissue damage that goes deep into muscle and bone (Stage IV). These sores are hard to treat and slow to heal. Other problems, such as bone, blood, and skin infections, can develop when pressure sores do not heal properly.
I’ve heard nursing home administrators try to play down the significance of bed sore…making it sound like it is no big deal. Well, those administrators are wrong and it is a big deal…a big painful and sometimes life-threatening deal!
Having a pressure ulcer, particularly a Stage IV ulcer, impacts an individual’s life in many ways. A concern whether the pressure ulcer would heal, concomitant with an expectation that it would heal, has been mentioned in studies as a patient concern. Individuals need hope that the ulcer will heal, the pain, odor, and treatments will end, and that they will eventually regain their former lives.
My Take: Pressure sores (or whatever you want to call them) are painful, debilitating, and can be life-threatening. If your loved one is suffering from a pressure sore, get prompt medical attention.