How to Prevent Pressure Ulcers at Home: A Caregiver's Guide

Pressure ulcers — also called bedsores or pressure injuries — form when prolonged pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin, usually over bony areas like the hips, heels, tailbone, shoulder blades, and elbows. For someone who spends long stretches in a bed or chair, they can develop quickly and become serious. The good news for families: prevention is far easier than treatment, and most of it comes down to a handful of habits a caregiver can build into the day.

The prevention essentials

• Reposition on a schedule. Shift position at least every two hours in bed and about every hour in a chair to take pressure off vulnerable spots. Setting a phone reminder helps it stick.
• Protect the skin. Keep skin clean and dry, manage moisture from incontinence or sweat promptly, and use a light moisturizer on dry areas — but avoid vigorous rubbing over bony points.
• Use pressure-relieving support. Specialized mattresses, chair cushions, and heel protectors spread pressure out. Pillows and foam wedges can keep heels “floating” and keep bony areas from pressing together.
• Check the skin every day. Look over all the bony areas, especially after repositioning. You’re watching for redness that doesn’t fade, or any change in skin color, temperature, or firmness.
• Support nutrition and hydration. Skin needs protein and fluids to stay intact and to repair itself. Good nutrition is quietly one of the best defenses against skin breakdown.

Catch the first sign early

The earliest sign of a developing pressure ulcer is often a patch of skin that stays red (or looks darker or discolored on deeper skin tones) after pressure has been relieved, or an area that feels warm, firm, or unusually soft. Acting at this stage — getting pressure off the area and protecting it — can stop an ulcer before it ever opens. If the skin is broken, or a red area doesn’t improve, it’s time to call for help.

Caring for the caregiver

Repositioning, skin checks, and vigilance are demanding, especially around the clock. Share the schedule with other family members, keep supplies organized within reach, and don’t hesitate to lean on professional support — you’re not meant to do this alone. Our family caregiver’s guide has more on this.

How in-home care helps

The patients most at risk for pressure ulcers are often exactly the ones for whom a clinic visit is hardest. In-home pressure ulcer care brings a licensed nurse practitioner to the patient to treat any existing ulcers, stage them accurately, and coach caregivers through a prevention plan that fits your household — all without a difficult trip out.

Common questions

How often should someone be repositioned? As a general guide, about every two hours in bed and every hour in a chair — but we tailor a realistic schedule to the person and household.

What’s the very first sign of a pressure ulcer? Often a patch of skin that stays red (or looks darker or discolored) after pressure is relieved, or an area that feels warm, firm, or unusually soft. Act at that stage and you can often prevent an open wound.

Do special mattresses and cushions really help? Yes. Pressure-relieving support surfaces spread pressure out and are a valuable part of prevention, alongside repositioning and skin care.

If you’re caring for someone at risk in North Texas, we can help. Request a visit or call (877) 969-6863.

This article is general educational information, not individualized medical advice. If a wound isn't healing, please talk with a licensed clinician. And when you're ready for wound care that comes to you, call US Wound at (877) 969-6863 — we verify your benefits first and treat you like family.