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Jim00786 Asked May 2015

My Father only sleeps on left side. How to avoid bed sores?

My father had a stroke and his left side is paralyzed. My father only sleeps on the left side. We tried to make him sleep straight or on right but he does not follow.

What should we do to avoid bed sores. I think things are already getting bad.

He cannot understand and remember so it is not possible to convince him.

IloveMom May 2015
Try an air mattress that inflates and deflates....Ask Hospice.

Jim00786 May 2015
Thank you for reassuring. This is indeed great resource.

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cwillie May 2015
Jim, I think that he is mobile enough that you shouldn't have to worry too much about bed sores. It will take him a long time to adjust to his immobile limbs and his new reality. You will have to be very patient with him.... I hope you have a good health care team to help you with this. Keep posting any questions here, it is a wonderful resource.

Jim00786 May 2015
He grumbles, bashes and repositions himself in around 5 minutes. And keep asking to remove his left arm and leg which is not possible.

He sits on bed for around 15-20 times in the day for 5 minutes and in chair 2-3 times for 5 minutes.

cwillie May 2015
Do you get him up into a chair during the day? How much time does he spend in bed sleeping? What happens when you position him on his other side? If he is is grumbling about it then you will just have to let him grumble. If he is angry and lashing out then medications may help. And if he turns himself back the other way, even a little, then he is able to re-position himself and pressure sores will be less of an issue.

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