What it is: Wounds are damage or breaks of the skin and are common at the end of life. Wounds include:
Why it matters: The skin is an organ. The skin deteriorates with advanced disease. As the body weakens with age, severe illness, or multiple illnesses, wounds can become more common. Wounds affect a person’s quality of life due to:
A person with a wound or skin changes may feel embarrassed. They may not want to be around other people.
Wounds can be worsened by:
What I need to know: Despite good wound care, wounds may not heal. However, wound care should be continued to prevent more damage.
Remember that the person will be more comfortable if they have regular pain medication and if they are given analgesics before starting wound care.
Report to nursing staff:
Follow hand hygiene steps so that your hands are always clean.
Protect the person from injury by:
What changes in the skin should I report to nursing/supervisory staff?
Skin deteriorates with advanced diseases. What approaches to care can be taken to avoid skin damage and wounds at the end of life?
See related palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets:
Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Anorexia
Frailty
Pain Management
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Updated July 2022