Does Your Loved One Have a Non-Healing Wound? 4 Common Causes That Professional Care Addresses
Older adults and younger people with chronic health conditions sometimes struggle with recovering after an injury or surgery. Wounds that will not heal leave people open to secondary infections and non-healing wounds can lead to a greater risk for hospital readmissions. If your loved one's wound will not heal, it is possible that they are simply unable to provide the care for themselves that they need to get better. Local wound care services provide assistance with daily tasks that help to address some of the most common reasons for a wound to refuse to heal.
Increase Blood Flow to the Area
Your loved one's wound needs proper blood flow to send nutrients and blood cells to the skin that allows it to heal. If your loved one is immobile for a lengthy period of time, then they will have reduced circulation. In this type of situation, it may be necessary for a family member or professional caregiver to manually move the affected part of the body several times a day. This also helps to prevent issues such as pressure sores that could develop around the wound and cause further complications.
Keep Wounds Clean
Proper wound care always begins with infection control. Unfortunately, your loved one may not be able to clean their wound properly. This is especially common if they are still in great pain or unable to reach the wound easily. It is also possible for them to transfer bacteria to the wound from other sources if they are not properly trained on how to maintain hygiene. Professional nurses and caregivers spend time learning how to reduce the transmission of bacteria to wounds by practicing procedures for proper hand washing and sanitizing of the area in which they are working.
Avoid Excessive Dryness or Moisture
Most wounds must be kept at an appropriate level of moistness. If the wound gets too dry, it may stick to bandages, or the skin may pull away from where it needs to join. Wounds that are too moist are at risk for infections increased bleeding. Professional caregivers check wounds regularly throughout the day and night if it is necessary to make sure that they do not get too dry or moist.
Improve Their Diet
Your loved one's overall health has an impact upon their ability to heal. For instance, a senior who is malnourished may not have enough vitamins and minerals that are necessary for skin to regenerate. A person with diabetes may also have poor blood circulation that further increases the chances for problems. With proper wound care, your loved one can also receive nutritional services that give them what they need to feel better.
