Assessment and management of chronic pressure ulcers in the elderly.

Pressure ulcers remain a complex and costly problem to the health care system. As the population ages, a greater number of individuals will be at high risk for developing pressure ulcers. An understanding of the physiologic changes that occur with aging skin is important in preventing and treating chronic wounds. Risk factor assessment and modification, when possible, can help to reduce the development of pressure ulcerations. Although the goal continues to be prevention, once a pressure ulcer does occur, a systematic and comprehensive approach to assessment and treatment is necessary to reduce healing times.