elderly person uses a transfer board to move from wheelchair to bed, etc, her skin is breaking down any ideas?

Question

my mother is 80 years old, 60 years in wheelchair, she uses a transfer board to get from wheelchair to recliner, toilet, and bed. She has to slide and does not have any lift in her arms, the flesh on her bottom is breaking down. any ideas on how to protect her flesh so she can continue to transfer? Is there a product or bandage that she could wear to protect that area? she has no use of her legs and depends on her arms, she cannot wear underpants.

Answer 1

That's called bed sores. Can be life threatening. Here's an idea......... GO TO THE DOCTOR.

Answer 2

Her using her sliding board is most likely not the cause of the skin break down. It is more common with her situation for it to break down due to her always sitting on her bottom or laying on her back. A & D ointment is a good moisture barrier it helps repels mositure. But this product is oil based so, if she can't used something to protect her clothing then it will stain or show through her clothing. If she has actual open sores then she needs to be seen by her doctor for medication (I have had best luck with santiyle and polysporin) and of course the sores will be required to be covered. Try to use a lamb skin in her W/C if she dosn't already have one and an air cushion under the lamb skin. The lamb skin is softer than a towel or anything else and the air cushion allows her to shift her wt by leaning side to side to help relieve pressure on her bottom. Try getting her to lay down for a little while in the afternoon to help relieve the pressure points.(easier said than done most of the time) If she is on medicare, they should pick up the cost of the cushion and lamb skin if her doctor prescribes it. At night make sure she stays on her side but make sure she rotates from side to side and to try to stay off her bottom. I hope this helps. There are all kind of products out there to help relieve the discomfort and to keep her still mobile. Check out your local medical supply place a lot of these things (air cushion/lamb skin) can be purchaced there.

Answer 3

my grandmother recently had a stroke and she cannot walk either. is this skin on her bum causing her pain? i would put cortisone on it to stop inflammation and try to keep it moisturized with a good lotion. the reason that i am commenting is that my grandmothers physical therapist suggested using a belt to transfer her. my grandfather is old and weak and could not heave her. the belt lays under her when it is not in use and does not cause her discomfort. then when she needs moved they hook the loose end to the clasp end and fasten against her belly they use the remaining belt that normally would wrap around the waist to pull her up. since this is her center of gravity while she is bed ridden it does not damage her or cause her pain. make sure to use a good quality leather belt because you do not want it to give and your mother to fall. i think this will help the wear and tear on her sensitive butt skin. hope this helps.

Answer 4

Kerodex may help her by forming a barrier between the urine and feces and her bottom. Check with her doc and see if he can order a home-health nurse for dressing changes and wound care.
Using a pillowcase on the board will help her slide better. Just remember to put it on the board with the closed end opposite from the direction she slides.

Answer 5

From what I have been reading you can prevent bed sores by:
providing soft padding in wheelchairs and bed's to reduce pressure, providing good skin care by keeping the skin clean & dry. you can go to wikipedia /
Also, in y our web search put in bed sores it gives you several web-sites. You also may have to contact her physician for medicated guaze or special dressings. Perhaps call you local pharmacy. I hope your Mom feels better!

Answer 6

you can also get special cushions - they're filled with special gel and shaped in such a way so as to prevent pressure sores. an occupational therapist will be able to help. even an rn.