Pressure problems in the elderly

Summary

The elderly, especially those suffering from long-term debilitating illnesses, form the largest single group susceptible to pressure sores. The fundamental cause of tissue damage is sustained pressure over localised areas of the body. Mobility studies and assessment of the clinical condition by a scoring system show that approximately 20 per cent of patients admitted to a geriatric department are at risk of developing pressure sores. Seventy per cent of sores develop within the first 2 weeks of hospital stay and the incidence of these sores is related to the initial assessment score. The prevention of pressure sores depends upon the recognition of patients especially at risk, and the institution of measures which limit the action of sustained pressure can be achieved by regular turning supplemented by mechanical measures which reduce pressure or its duration of action.