Pressure ulcers

Mr Patel was a 70-year-old man with learning difficulties. He had lived until recently with his brother, who had helped care for him since their mother had died 10 years earlier. Mr Patel’s brother had been taken ill and subsequently died. Mr Patel continued living in the home that he had shared with his brother. His GP visited every few months and was becoming concerned about Mr Patel’s health. The GP contacted the district nursing service and asked them to visit. The district nurse found Mr Patel to be malnourished and fairly immobile. Mr Patel chose to sit in a chair all day, every day. The district nurses visited daily, as Mr Patel was incontinent and at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Mr Patel refused any help with washing and dressing, but he accepted help with meals from other members of his family.