Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, typically develop over bony areas of the body when patients are not properly turned and repositioned.  Unrelieved pressure on these bony areas for a prolonged period of time chokes off blood supply to oxygen-starved tissue and skin.  Pressure ulcers are staged based on the severity of their tissue destruction.  Stage 4 ulcers result in the exposure of bones, muscles, and tendons and leads to serious infection, amputation of limbs, and death.  Almost all pressure ulcers are preventable if nursing homes and assisted living facilities would simply turn and repositions patients in bed and chair, relieve pressure from patients’ heels, keep patients clean, and provide them with enough food and water.