Pressure sores - need practical advice

[Honeymoonmummy]

DSD in late stages of lung cancer, the only way he can be is in sitting position reclined to the side, hence has sores on one elbow and two on bottom. He has a special bed at home and they brought a special mattress topper that has air in but it makes him slide off the bed he has his feet on the floor at all times). His movement v limited now and think we in last stages but the only pain he's complaining of is from pressures sores. Any practical advice?

Also he said today he wants to try lying down, any useful tips on what position might work? He gets breathless if too reclined.

Tia and apols for brevity!

[Honeymoonmummy]

Oh and I've looked at the elbow one and the dressing thing doesn't seem to cover the whole sore - that can't be right surely!!? They didn't check on or change them for 3 days and they got all rucked up now they're in a right mess. Urgently need some wise MN advice please!

[CMOTDibbler]

I think he urgently needs some input from a hospice team to get his pain under control, dress his sores and see if they can help find a better position. The hospice at home team can come out.

Can both ends of the bed come up? Having his knees and the head of the bed up would stop him sliding down and spread the pressure out

[SecretSpy]

many dressings don't need to be changed daily but if they are a mess give the nurses a ring first thing for them to pop back and redo them.

frequent changes in position is the main thing, to relieve the pressure. Plus special mattresses and seat cushions for bottoms but elbows are tricky because if you've spent a lifetime leaning on it, it's very difficult to change iykwim

[WaitingForEgg]

Main thing with pressure sores is frequent pressure relief and repositioning, which is hard if he is only comfortable in certain positions. Use of various pillows, supports can usually achieve this, spending an hour leaning one side and then another. even putting a pillow under his arm so that he is resting on that side but the elbow itself doesn't touch a surface should help.
Dressings should really cover the whole sore, has it slipped? Often its best to cover the dressing with a light bandage to stop it shifting.
Ask the hospice team to review his pain relief.
Also agree with poster who said about elevating legs, will help to slop him slipping, can also get a gripper for the chair which also stops slipping.

[Honeymoonmummy]

Thanks all. The district nurses have been fucking appalling tbh. I've not heard of hospices at home team so I will ask. Thanks all will read properly later

[Elllimam]

If the bed has a tilt function you can tilt the bed down at the top a bit then sit up the head and feet. That will give you a sitting position he is unlikely to slide of.

[WaitingForEgg]

Your GP should be able to contact hospice at home/palliative care team for support. Has your GP been ok?

[superbfairywren]

A sheepskin might help air flow without being too slippy. They don't get too hot and They aren't too expensive, can get secondhand on eBay if needed and are really comfy to sit or lie on.