Pressure sores and falls: the two risks that unfold between visits

Why these two before anything else

A pressure sore and a fall share one property: they turn a stable situation into a hospital admission, sometimes ending home care for good.

They are almost entirely preventable through simple, repeated actions — which requires relatives to know which ones. That is the sole purpose of this page.

Pressure sores: the signs that should alert you

Redness that does not turn white under finger pressure — over the sacrum, heels, hips or elbows — is the first stage, and at that point everything is still reversible.

Regular repositioning, crease-free bedding, clean dry skin, and adequate food and fluids remain the most effective measures.

A heel is protected by letting it float, never by resting it on a cushion that presses on the same spot.

Falls: change the environment before changing the person

Loose rugs, cables crossing a room, poor lighting between bed and toilet at night, backless slippers: these are the most frequent and the easiest causes to remove.

Standing up abruptly after a meal or after a treatment change can cause dizziness. Getting up in two stages — sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting — prevents a share of these falls.

Every fall must be reported to us, even without immediate pain: for someone on anticoagulants, a knock to the head needs prompt medical advice.

What we put in place, week by week

The first week is for observing: when the person gets up, where they lean, how long they stay seated, what they actually eat. Prevention built on assumptions does not survive a fortnight.

Then come the concrete measures: pressure points relieved at set intervals, heels and sacrum protected, hydration monitored, protein intake discussed with the doctor, and closed shoes rather than slippers.

Every visit checks only two things, but always: the state of the skin at pressure points, and any new obstacle on the route between bed and bathroom. Those are the two places where it is won or lost.

When to call us

Persistent redness, a new wound, a change in the smell or appearance of an existing wound, unexplained fever, a fall with or without pain, lasting refusal to eat.

Outside our hours the rule is the same as for any emergency: 15 or 112. We would rather take an unnecessary call than receive a late one.

Frequently asked questions on this page

Is a cushion enough to protect a heel?

No: a heel is protected by letting it float, not by resting it on a cushion that presses the same spot.

Should a painless fall be reviewed?

Yes if the person takes an anticoagulant or knocked their head: prompt medical advice is needed.

Which changes make the biggest difference?

Removing loose rugs, lighting the night route to the toilet, replacing backless slippers.