Elderly Wound Care Tips
If you help care for an elderly person, then you want to make sure you know how to take care of all their needs, and this includes tending to them on a physical level. This article will help you to have a clearer understanding of some of the things you'll need to do to ensure the elderly person in your care has proper wound prevention and wound care:
Understand diabetes – If the elderly person in your care is a diabetic, then you want to learn as much as you can about this condition. There are certain things you want to be aware of, such as its affect on a person's limbs, especially their legs and feet. Diabetics are more prone to having things like small cuts lead to bigger issues, such as gangrene. Gangrene is a condition that can lead to the need for limb amputation, so it is something that is extremely important for you to have a full understanding of.
Take care of their nails – An elderly person needs to have their nails taken care of, or they can develop hang nails, which can become painful and even infected. If you notice they are having an issue with their nails that is beyond your scope of expertise, then you should have them seen by a doctor as soon as you can get an appointment.
Watch all wounds – In the elderly, even a small cut can quickly become a serious concern. When an elderly person you are caring for has a small wound, you want to clean it properly, cover it in gauze, and check on it at least a couple times a day. Also, don't allow it to be damp, and expose it to air for a while when you are changing the bandage. Put an ointment on the wound that has an antibiotic in it; this will help to decrease the chances of the wound ending up getting an infection.
Take them to the emergency room – Anytime the elderly person in your care has a wound that concerns you, it is best to get them to the emergency room. It's best for you to have a doctor look at it and make any judgement calls. The doctor will also be able to tell you exactly how to properly care of the wound at home, which will take away any of the guesswork that may lead to serious problems.
For more information and tips, contact wound care services in your area.