Senior Wound Care: Prevention, Healing and Daily Care
A small wound can become serious quickly, but proper care can help prevent infection.
Proper wound care services support healing and help with infection prevention, especially for seniors.
With a skilled team, Concordia provides expert treatment through home health agencies like Concordia Visiting Nurses and in inpatient settings, through short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care.
This blog highlights why wound care matters and how Concordia helps patients heal with confidence and comfort.
Why Wound Care Matters for Seniors?
Wounds offer the perfect place for bacteria to thrive and worsen over time. When people delay care, infections can spread and lead to complications like sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency.
According to the Sepsis Alliance, adults aged 65 years and older are 13 times more likely to be hospitalized with sepsis, also called blood poisoning, than their younger counterparts, and 63% of seniors admitted to the ICU present with sepsis upon admission.
“Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment,” the alliance said in an article.
A different article published last year in the National Library of Medicine showed that in 2025 chronic wounds affected 10.5 million Medicare beneficiaries in the United States.
The same article estimated a $22.5 billion annual cost to Medicare, meaning treatments for severe wound complications can be costly.
Professionals wound care experts can drastically reduce infection risk, promote healing and support long-term health for seniors.
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When Should You Seek Wound Care?
Cuts, burns, puncture wounds and pressure sores can all lead to infection, if left untreated.
MedlinePlus notes that most minor wounds can be treated at home with soap, water, and a clean bandage.
However, a person should contact their doctor immediately if experiencing the following symptoms:
- Redness, increased pain, yellow or green pus or excessive clear fluid around the injury. These are signs of infection.
- Black edges around the injury. This is a sign of dead tissue.
- Bleeding at the injury site that will not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
- Fever of 100°F (37.7°C) or higher for more than 4 hours
- Pain at the wound that will not go away, even after taking pain medicine.
- A wound that has come open or the stitches or staples have come out too soon.
Some seniors, wounds may fall outside their comfort zone. Others may struggle to notice the subtle differences in a wound over time, especially those who have restricted mobility or range of motion.
A dedicated wound care nurse can evaluate symptoms early and recommend the right care, whether in a clinic or through wound care at home.
Why Do Seniors Need Home Health Nursing for Wound Care?
Home health wound care helps seniors heal safely without the stress of frequent travel to appointments or inpatient stays.
Jennifer Young, a registered nurse and wound care specialist for Concordia Visiting Nurses, said the answer is expertise, guidance and positivity.
She has seen firsthand how wounds reach further than the source. They can limit someone’s mobility, keeping them homebound and weighing heavily on their mental health. She said some seniors fall into depression due to restrictions from their wounds.
“The biggest thing I see that seniors struggle with is that they get frustrated and they get scared,” Jennifer said. “I like trying to keep things positive while I’m helping them. You can kind of nip it in the bud if you can set the tone from the beginning. It’s a lot bigger than just the wound.”
Along with emotional support, Jennifer teaches hygiene strategies and helps patients stay informed throughout recovery. She also talks with patients about nutrition. Many older adults don’t get enough protein, which can slow healing and contribute to fragile skin. Less protein contributes to thinner skin which rips easier and heals slower.
“It’s really great to see when I can teach someone about prioritizing their diet, and then a couple weeks after they actually do it, the wound starts to turn around,” Jennifer said.
A skilled nurse also alleviates the risk of neglect by those who are uncomfortable treating their own wounds or having a family member treat their wounds.
“Teaching about infection control goes a long way,” Jennifer said. “But sometimes, they need help because they generally can’t do it themselves.”
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How Does Worry-Free Retirement Living Translate to Wound Care?
Concordia’s retirement living locations take pride in offering residents a worry-free lifestyle. This mantra speaks to the support, safety and comfort residents can have in everyday life, not just while recovering from a wound.
At Concordia, maintenance teams, housekeepers and kitchen staffs help take on burdensome activities and upkeep that are known to cause injuries to some seniors.
“We can offer an environment that reduces the need to put oneself at risk,” said Connor Hagey, Concordia at Cabot’s Director of Independent Living.
Concordia has convenient contingency plans on standby should a retirement living resident receive a wound. Both Concordia Visiting Nurses and Concordia Home Health of Bethlen make visits with patients in their apartments, cottages, villas, etc.
Most of Concordia’s retirement living locations also exist as part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), which provide inpatient care, such as short-term rehabilitation, if needed.
“It means that we want to be an option for you today and in the future. Our goal is always to position ourselves where we can meet your needs for years to come,” Connor said.
This kind of senior living support can make wound care easier, convenient and safer.
“Many of our residents find comfort in knowing that when time carries on, the Concordia they know is still able to serve them,” Connor said.
How Can Inpatient Stays Improve Wound Care Treatment?
In a CCRC environment, residents can receive inpatient care right on the same campus as their home.
Should a resident’s wound need round-the-clock attention and care, Concordia’s skilled nursing teams, like those at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph, are ready to answer the call.
“Wound care is a part of the well-rounded care continuum that is provided for the elderly population,” said Rachelle Arnold, Administrator for Concordia at Villa St. Joseph.
While not a retirement living location, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph houses personal care residents and can easily transition them to short-term rehabilitation should they need focused medical attention.
“We have a specialized wound care team made up of a physician, nurses and a dietitian,” Rachelle said. “Staff providing wound treatment have engaged in specialized training to provide that care and provides ongoing training to the rest of the licensed staff in competency fair settings annually and on a case-by-case basis as needed.”
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Need Wound Care?
Early treatment can save time, reduce costs and prevent complications. The right care helps seniors stay active, independent and safe, and they can carry on enjoying their golden years.
Concordia has the staff, training and clinical expertise to deliver wound care services that provide comfort, confidence and long-term wellness.
Interested in the idea of worry-free living? Click here to check out Concordia retirement living locations and reach out to one near you.
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