Wound care supplies and equipment — managing at-home treatment

This article provides general information about wound care and home management of wounds. Your parent's specific wounds should be evaluated and the care plan determined by a doctor, nurse, or wound care specialist. Always follow professional medical guidance for wound care rather than using home remedies.

The first time I changed my mother's wound dressing, I was terrified I'd do something wrong. The incision from her surgery was red and swollen. There were stitches. There was drainage. It looked infected to me, though I couldn't have explained why. My hands shook as I gently cleaned around the stitches with sterile gauze and saline solution, following the nurse's written instructions exactly.

By the third dressing change, my hands stopped shaking. By the tenth, I wasn't obsessing over every detail. But the fear of doing harm never completely went away. Wound care at home requires basic knowledge and a lot of attention, but it's manageable for people willing to learn it.

Common Wounds in Older Adults

Your parent might develop wounds from several sources. Surgical wounds come after any surgery. They're usually cleaned and stitched in the operating room. Ideally they heal with minimal care. Sometimes they develop complications.

Pressure sores, also called pressure injuries or bed sores, develop when skin is pressed continuously against a surface without pressure relief. They happen on bony areas like the tailbone, hips, heels, or shoulders. They develop in stages, starting as skin redness that doesn't blanch when you press on it. Without intervention, they progress to open wounds that can become deeply infected.

Diabetic foot wounds are particularly dangerous because diabetes damages sensation and circulation. Your parent with diabetes might develop a wound on their foot they don't even feel. These wounds are prone to serious infection because of poor circulation.

Skin tears happen easily in elderly skin, which is thin and fragile. A minor bump or catch on something can tear the skin. These wounds bleed because the skin is thinner, but they're usually not serious if cared for properly.

Venous stasis ulcers form on the legs when poor circulation means blood isn't returning properly from the leg to the heart. Pooled blood and fluid build up, causing skin breakdown and open wounds.

Surgical site infections develop after surgery if bacteria colonize the healing incision. These are serious and need prompt medical attention.

Each wound type requires slightly different care, but the basic principles of wound care remain similar.

Basic Wound Care Supplies

A well-stocked wound care kit includes items needed for proper care. Sterile saline solution is used to gently clean wounds without introducing bacteria. It's inexpensive and readily available. Sterile gauze pads provide the basis for most dressings. Different sizes work for different wounds. Non-adherent gauze like Telfa doesn't stick to the wound, making dressing changes less painful. Antibiotic ointment prevents bacteria growth if your parent's doctor recommends it, though not all wounds need antibiotic ointment.

Elastic bandages wrap around wounds to apply gentle pressure. Medical tape holds dressings in place. Various specialized dressings exist for different wound types. Hydrogel dressings keep wounds moist, which promotes healing for some types of wounds. Foam dressings absorb drainage. Alginate dressings work for wounds with heavy drainage. Your parent's wound care specialist will recommend which dressings to use.

Gloves, both clean and sterile, protect you and your parent during dressing changes. Hand sanitizer lets you clean your hands when you can't use soap and water. Clean towels, preferably dedicated to wound care and washed separately, prevent contamination.

A good light source helps you see what you're doing. Some people use a small flashlight or headlamp. Cotton balls, cleaning supplies, and containers for used materials round out the kit.

The Dressing Change Process

The specifics of dressing changes depend on the type of wound and your parent's situation. Your doctor or nurse will give you written instructions. Don't memorize them. Keep them written down and refer to them each time until the process becomes automatic.

First, gather all your supplies before you start. Having everything you need prevents you from having to leave your parent in the middle of a dressing change. Clean your hands thoroughly. Consider using hand sanitizer right before you do the actual dressing change, even if you just washed your hands.

Remove the old dressing gently. If it's stuck, slightly wetting the edges with saline helps it come off without damaging the skin or wound. Inspect the wound as you remove the old dressing. What does it look like? What do you notice about drainage, odor, redness, or swelling? You'll need to report this to the medical team if something seems wrong.

Clean the wound with sterile saline solution and sterile gauze. Use gentle motions. You're not trying to scrub the wound. You're trying to remove any bacteria or debris without damaging healing tissue. The sterile gauze is used once and then discarded. Each area gets cleaned with fresh gauze.

Assess whether your parent's doctor recommended antibiotic ointment or any other topical medication for this specific wound. If so, apply it as directed. Some wounds are left to air dry for a bit after cleaning. Others are immediately covered with a fresh dressing.

Apply the dressing as recommended for your parent's specific wound. This might be a simple sterile gauze pad held with medical tape. It might be a more complex dressing like a hydrogel sheet or foam dressing. Your parent's nurse or wound care specialist should demonstrate this for you before you're expected to do it independently.

Wash your hands again after the dressing change is complete. Dispose of used materials in a sealed bag.

Recognizing Infection and Other Problems

Wounds that develop redness, swelling, warmth, or pus aren't healing normally. Foul odor from a wound is concerning. Fever accompanying a wound issue means your parent is getting systemic infection from the wound. These all warrant contacting your parent's doctor or wound care specialist.

Excessive bleeding during a dressing change is also concerning. Minor oozing is normal, but if blood continues to flow after you've applied gentle pressure for a few minutes, report it to the medical team.

Some wounds drain more than expected. Keeping the area dry is important to prevent skin breakdown around the wound. Absorbent dressings help contain drainage. Keeping the area clean prevents bacterial colonization.

If your parent develops signs of infection, spreading redness, or increasing pain, don't try to manage it at home. Call the doctor. Some wounds need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine if infection is actually present or if the symptoms are normal for that stage of healing.

Preventing Wound Complications

Pressure relief is important for preventing pressure sores and allowing existing wounds to heal. Your parent shouldn't be lying on the wound. If a wound is on the tailbone, your parent needs to be off their back. If it's on the heel, their heel needs to be off any surface. Specialized pillows and cushions help with this. Alternating positions every two hours prevents new pressure sores.

Nutrition supports wound healing. Your parent needs adequate protein, calories, and micronutrients for their body to rebuild tissue. If your parent isn't eating well, mention this to their doctor. Some wounds won't heal adequately if your parent is malnourished.

Moisture management is important. Your parent's skin should be kept clean and dry. This means regular bathing with careful drying, frequent dressing changes if there's excessive drainage, and preventing sweat or incontinence from keeping skin wet. At the same time, the wound itself might need to stay moist for optimal healing, which is why the type of dressing matters.

Movement and activity promote healing for many wounds. Your parent shouldn't be completely immobilized. Walking or other appropriate movement increases circulation, which brings oxygen and nutrients to the wound.

Smoking impairs wound healing. If your parent smokes, helping them quit or reduce smoking supports healing.

Managing Pain During Dressing Changes

Dressing changes can be painful. Your parent might have pain medication they can take before a dressing change. Giving pain medication 30 minutes before might make the procedure more tolerable. Check with your parent's doctor about timing.

Handling wounds gently during dressing changes reduces pain. Pulling tape off slowly and carefully causes less pain than ripping it off. Using non-adherent dressing materials prevents the bandage from sticking to the wound. Some specialized dressing materials are formulated to reduce pain during changes.

Talking your parent through the dressing change, explaining what you're about to do before you do it, helps them relax. Some people find the anticipation worse than the actual procedure.

When to Call the Doctor

Any signs of infection warrant contacting your parent's doctor immediately. Fever, spreading redness, increasing pain, foul odor, or unexpected change in how the wound looks all need professional evaluation.

If dressing changes are becoming increasingly difficult or painful, mention this. There might be a better dressing option or your parent might need professional wound care instead of home care.

If your parent's wound isn't healing as expected, even without signs of active infection, report this. Slow healing might mean nutrition is inadequate, or your parent might have an underlying condition affecting healing.

If your parent's pain is severe or worsening, that's information for their doctor. Pain control affects quality of life and potentially healing.

The Emotional Piece

Caring for an open wound on your parent is uncomfortable. You see their vulnerability. There's risk that you'll accidentally cause harm. You become intimate with their body in ways that might feel awkward for both of you.

This is part of caregiving for some families. It's uncomfortable but important. You're not a healthcare provider, and that's okay. You're doing your best to follow instructions and keep your parent's wound clean and healing. That matters.

Your parent might feel shame about needing someone else to care for their wound. They might feel vulnerable. Treating the dressing change as a matter-of-fact medical procedure rather than something emotional helps normalize it. Your confidence and competence help them feel less anxious about the process.

Eventually, many wounds heal completely and dressing changes become a memory rather than part of daily life. Until then, you're doing important work that supports your parent's recovery and independence.

Wound care should always follow the guidance of your parent's doctor, nurse, or wound care specialist. Never use home remedies on open wounds without medical approval. Wound infection is a serious medical condition that requires prompt professional attention. Some wounds require professional nursing care rather than home care. If your parent's wounds are not healing as expected or if you're unsure about any aspect of care, contact their healthcare provider. Proper wound care prevents complications and promotes faster healing.