(gentle music)
[Narrator] The prevention of skin breakdown
and pressure sores
is an important part of physical care,
especially when the person is confined to bed
or is limited to sitting most or all of their time.
Each opportunity to bathe
or reposition the person
is another chance to check and care for their skin.
Look for any reddened or blanched areas.
In other words, whitened areas
that appear to have a lack of blood flow
because this can indicate early signs
of pressure on the skin.
To reduce the risk of skin breakdown,
pay special attention to the skin
covering bony areas that rest on the bed.
Bony areas that are at risk include the hips,
tailbone, elbows, heels, and shoulders.
If you notice changes,
it's important to share this information
with your healthcare team.
They may suggest using a special mattress.
If the skin isn't reddened,
gently massage the back and areas that rest on the bed,
using a circular motion
with soft pressure with each turn.
Massaging the skin can help promote blood circulation
and can be relaxing.
Consider using a small amount of non-scented lotion
to help with a massage.
When repositioning in bed,
you can use pillows to help reduce
the pressure over bony areas.
Okay, A pillow placed under the ankle
or between the legs may help.
Try to keep bedsheets dry and free of wrinkles.
This will help reduce friction on the skin.
Note that as illness progresses,
this procedure may require two people to complete.
Staying in the same position for too long
can result in more pain,
and may increase the risk of developing sores on the skin.
So it's important to reposition patients regularly.
If pain with movement is a problem,
talk to your healthcare provider.
In many cases, pain medications given
prior to the turn
can help reduce pain with movement.
(gentle music)