Older Adults in Grand Rapids Hospitals: Skin Care and Preventing Pressure Sores

Older adults in Grand Rapids hospitals—whether at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health—are at higher risk of skin problems and pressure sores (also called bed sores or pressure ulcers). Understanding how to protect your skin during a hospital stay can help you heal faster and return home safely.

Cold, dry West Michigan winters, time spent in bed, and common conditions like diabetes and circulation problems can all affect skin health for older people in Grand Rapids.

Why Older Skin Needs Extra Care in the Hospital

As we age, skin becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile. This means:

  • It injures more easily
  • It takes longer to heal
  • It is more likely to break down if you sit or lie in one position too long

Not eating or drinking enough, limited movement, and certain medical conditions can all increase the risk of skin damage and pressure sores during a hospital stay.

What Are Pressure Sores?

A pressure sore (pressure ulcer or bed sore) is a painful wound caused by constant pressure on the skin and the tissue underneath. This pressure slows or stops blood flow, which can damage the skin and deeper tissues.

Pressure sores are most likely to occur over bony areas, such as:

  • Heels
  • Ankles
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Elbows
  • Tailbone (sacrum, at the base of the spine)

Pressure sores can start to develop in as little as two hours if the skin is not relieved of pressure.

Why Pressure Sores Are Serious

Pressure sores and skin tears:

  • Are very painful
  • Can take a long time to heal
  • May become infected
  • Can lead to permanent muscle or bone damage
  • Often mean a longer stay in the hospital
  • Can reduce independence after discharge

In severe cases, infection from a pressure sore can spread to the bloodstream and become life-threatening.

Factors That Increase Pressure Sore Risk in Grand Rapids Patients

Older adults in Grand Rapids hospitals may be at higher risk of pressure sores if they:

  • Spend most of the day in bed or sitting in a chair
  • Are unable to move or change position without help
  • Are undernourished or have lost weight recently
  • Have dry, fragile, or very thin skin
  • Are incontinent (leak urine or stool)
  • Have diabetes, poor circulation, or memory and thinking problems
  • Are recovering from surgery or serious illness

Dry indoor air from heating systems during Michigan winters can also make skin drier and more fragile, especially for older adults.

How Hospital Staff in Grand Rapids Help Protect Your Skin

In Grand Rapids hospitals, nurses and other staff will assess your risk of pressure sores soon after you arrive. If you are at risk, they may:

  • Check your skin regularly for redness, swelling, or soreness
  • Help you change position often, including during the night
  • Provide special pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions, heel wedges, or limb protectors
  • Support you with nutrition and hydration plans if you are not eating or drinking well
  • Work with physical and occupational therapists to help you stay as mobile as possible

Always tell your nurse or doctor right away if you feel new pain, burning, or soreness on a bony area, or if you notice any skin changes.

How You Can Care for Your Skin in the Hospital

1. Keep Your Skin Clean and Dry

  • Gently wash your skin every day and after any episodes of incontinence
  • Pat your skin dry—do not rub vigorously
  • Make sure skin folds (such as under the breasts, groin, and between toes) are dry

If you need help with bathing or toileting, ask the nursing staff. Do not wait if your clothes or bedding are damp.

2. Avoid Products That Dry Out Your Skin

Some soaps and body washes strip natural oils from the skin. To protect your skin:

  • Avoid harsh soaps, heavily perfumed body washes, and talcum powder
  • Ask your nurse or pharmacist for non-drying skin cleansers
  • Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser recommended by hospital staff

3. Use a Moisturizer Every Day

Keeping your skin well-hydrated is especially important in Michigan’s dry winter months.

  • Ask for a water-based, fragrance-free moisturizer
  • Apply it at least once a day, or more often if your skin is very dry
  • Avoid putting moisturizer directly on open wounds unless your nurse or doctor tells you to

4. Be Careful Around Bony Areas

Do not rub or massage over bony areas like heels, hips, and the tailbone. This can damage fragile tissue.

  • Let staff know if these areas feel sore, tender, or warm
  • Use pillows or cushions as directed to protect these spots

Staying Mobile: Movement Protects Your Skin

Movement increases blood flow to your skin and tissues and helps prevent pressure sores.

If You Can Walk Safely

  • Get out of bed and sit in a chair for meals if possible
  • Walk around the hospital ward every few hours, with help if needed
  • Do as many daily activities as you can safely (showering, dressing, walking to the toilet)

Always follow your doctor’s and physical therapist’s instructions about how much you can safely do.

If You Cannot Walk on Your Own

If you’ve been advised not to walk by yourself:

  • Change your position every 1–2 hours
  • Gently move your legs, ankles, and arms in bed if you can
  • Whenever possible, sit in a chair rather than sitting up in bed—sitting up in bed puts more pressure on your tailbone

Move as Frequently as Possible

Even small movements help:

  • Shift your weight from one side to the other
  • Adjust how you sit or lie
  • Use pillows, cushions, or booties as recommended to ease sore spots

If you cannot move yourself, ask staff to help you change position regularly.

Using Pressure-Relieving Devices

If staff give you any devices to protect your skin, use them every time unless your doctor tells you otherwise. These may include:

  • Special foam or air mattresses
  • Seat cushions for chairs or wheelchairs
  • Heel wedges to lift your heels off the bed
  • Limb protectors or padding around elbows, knees, or ankles

These devices are common in Grand Rapids hospitals and are an important part of pressure sore prevention.

Check Your Skin Every Day

You or a caregiver should check your skin daily, especially over bony areas.

Look for:

  • Redness that doesn’t fade after you change position
  • Blisters, broken skin, or open areas
  • Swelling, warmth, or hardness
  • Pain, burning, or tenderness over bony spots
  • Dampness from sweat, urine, or stool

Tell your nurse or doctor right away if you notice:

  • Red, purple, or dark areas that don’t improve after relieving pressure
  • Skin that is blistered, broken, or weeping
  • Any new or worsening pain near a bony area

Early treatment can prevent a small problem from becoming a serious wound.

Eating Well and Drinking Enough in the Hospital

Good nutrition and hydration are essential for healthy skin and wound healing.

Eat Regular Meals and Snacks

  • Try not to skip meals
  • Include protein-rich foods (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, beans) to help your skin repair
  • Ask to speak with a dietitian if you are not eating well or have special dietary needs

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Unless your doctor has restricted fluids:

  • Sip water regularly throughout the day
  • Aim for clear, pale yellow urine as a sign of good hydration
  • Ask staff for water refills or other suitable drinks

Being undernourished makes the skin thin, dry, and more likely to tear or break. Dehydration also slows wound healing.

Incontinence and Skin Protection

If you leak urine or stool (are incontinent), your skin is at higher risk of irritation and pressure sores.

  • Tell your nurse if you have any difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
  • Ask about incontinence pads, barrier creams, and regular toileting schedules
  • Make sure wet clothing or bedding is changed quickly

Keeping the skin clean and dry is especially important for incontinent patients.

Planning for Going Home in Grand Rapids

If you develop a wound or pressure sore in the hospital, your healthcare team will work with you and your family or caregivers on a discharge plan. This may include:

  • Written instructions on how to dress and care for your wound
  • Information about follow-up visits with your Grand Rapids primary care provider or wound care clinic
  • Home care nursing services if needed
  • Advice on equipment such as cushions, mattresses, or walkers

You may be referred to:

  • Your GP or primary care doctor in Grand Rapids
  • Wound care specialists
  • Physical and occupational therapists
  • Home health agencies serving the Grand Rapids and Kent County area

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Older Adults

After you leave the hospital, you may find these resources helpful:

  • Kent County Health Department – Information on senior health, home care, and community services
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – Local programs that support nutrition, chronic disease management, and healthy aging
  • Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan – Assistance with in-home care, meals, and support for older adults

Ask your hospital’s case manager, social worker, or patient liaison officer to connect you with these services before you go home.

Key Points for Older Adults in Grand Rapids Hospitals

  • Older skin is fragile and can be damaged easily, especially during long hospital stays.
  • Pressure sores are painful, can develop quickly, and may lead to serious infections or permanent tissue damage.
  • Moving frequently, even a little, helps protect your skin.
  • Regular skin checks, good hygiene, moisturizers, and pressure-relieving devices reduce your risk.
  • Eating regular meals and drinking enough fluids are essential for healthy skin and wound healing.
  • Tell hospital staff immediately about any new redness, soreness, or skin changes.

Protecting your skin during a hospital stay in Grand Rapids can shorten your recovery time, help you return home sooner, and support your independence.