What is the purpose of turning and positioning a resident?

The purpose of turning and positioning a resident primarily revolves around preventing pressure sores and promoting circulation. When a resident is immobilized for prolonged periods, certain areas of their skin can become vulnerable to pressure, leading to sores or ulcers. By regularly changing a resident’s position, you alleviate pressure on specific body parts, distributing weight more evenly and enhancing blood flow to those areas. Improved circulation also plays a critical role in overall health, as it helps in the efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues while assisting in the removal of waste products from cellular metabolism.

In addition to preventing pressure sores, turning and positioning can aid in maintaining comfort and alignments, thereby supporting respiratory function and digestion. While improving access for nursing staff, ensuring a resident stays awake and alert, or encouraging interactions with others can be ancillary benefits, these are not the primary objectives of the positioning technique, which primarily focuses on safeguarding the resident’s skin integrity and enhancing their circulatory efficiency.