A recent study has discovered the risk factors that lead older adults in nursing homes to get skin tears. Scientific Reports surveyed 101 nursing home residents aged 65 or older over 2 years and tracked their reports of skin tears. Common in patients at long-term care facilities, skin tears are wounds that cause infections, pain, and an overall reduced quality of life. The research to find a predictive model for skin tears is vital to combating injuries due to skin tears. McKnight’s Long-term Care News stated that the model discovered, “a lower body mass index, regular corticosteroid use, lower functional independence scores, and dry skin on the legs were significant risk factors for skin tears.” The study found that 19% of residents developed at least one skin tear with varying risk factors after the evaluation. Some include poor nutrition and taking a mixture of medications. They are most commonly found on one’s arm, 80% of the time, particularly on the forearm. The data shows varying causes for nursing home residents, and it is essential to identify these skin tears, so they do not lead to more detrimental health issues.
Being aware of the causes and effects is important for those in healthcare facilities, especially older adults prone to skin tears, to have the best quality of life they can.
What to Do If You Expect Nursing Home Abuse in Scranton or Sorrunding Areas
If you know of someone who has been neglected or injured while a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, have them contact the lawyers at DLP, who have been representing nursing home abuse victims for over forty years. We at DLP Law Firm can protect you against nursing home-related issues.
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