DEAR DOCTOR K: I care for my elderly mother, who is confined to her bed most of the time. I’m worried about her getting bedsores. How can I prevent them?
DEAR READER: You’re right to be concerned, since bedsores cause pain and can lead to serious infections. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent your mother from getting them.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My elderly father lives with my family. But I have my own health issues and don’t think I’ll be able to care for him much longer. What are my options for long-term care?
DEAR READER: When I was in medical school, there were basically two options for long-term care: People moved in with their kids, or they were cared for in nursing homes. Nursing homes were an option only if the older folks had medical conditions that required constant nursing care.
Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a practicing physician, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Editor in Chief of Harvard Health Publications. Learn more »
Harvard Health Publications is the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, providing the general public with authoritative, trustworthy, and accessible health information. Learn more »
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