Preventing Recurrent Wounds in Nursing Home Residents: It Takes a Team and a Plan

If you’ve worked in a nursing home—or have a loved one living in one—you know how much of a challenge wound care can be. And not just treating wounds, but preventing them from coming back again and again. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and at times heartbreaking. But the good news is: it’s not hopeless. With the right approach, we can reduce recurrent wounds and improve quality of life for our residents.

Let’s start with the basics. Pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, and skin tears don’t usually happen overnight. They’re often the result of multiple small issues—reduced mobility, poor nutrition, unmanaged chronic conditions, even emotional stress. So if we’re going to stop them from recurring, we need to look at the whole picture.

It's More Than Just a Dressing

Too often, wound care becomes just that—putting on a dressing, documenting it, and moving on. But preventing recurrence means going deeper. Are we identifying the root cause of the wound? Are we addressing it consistently? Is everyone on the care team on the same page?

For example, if a resident has a pressure injury on their heel, we can apply all the high-tech dressings we want—but if they're not being repositioned regularly or if their shoes don’t fit properly, the wound is likely to return. The same goes for a diabetic resident with a recurring foot ulcer. If their blood sugar isn’t well-managed, or if they’re wearing tight socks that cause friction, we’re fighting an uphill battle.

Communication is Everything

One of the biggest game-changers in preventing recurrent wounds is communication. The CNA who notices that a resident is refusing meals or wincing when they shift in bed—that’s invaluable information. So is the nurse who realizes a resident's blood sugar has been creeping up. Or the wound care nurse who catches a small skin tear before it turns into a full-blown ulcer.

When everyone—from dietary staff to nurses to therapists—shares what they see, we can connect the dots early and act fast.

Nutrition Matters (More Than We Think)

We sometimes underestimate how critical nutrition is to skin health. Protein, vitamins like C and zinc, and hydration all play huge roles in healing and prevention. If a resident isn’t eating well, they’re going to be at higher risk—no matter how good our wound care protocol is. A quick referral to a dietitian or even small changes in meals can go a long way.

Consistency Over Complexity

At the end of the day, preventing recurrent wounds isn’t about having the fanciest equipment or newest product. It’s about consistency. Consistent skin checks. Consistent turning schedules. Consistent follow-ups. Consistent teamwork.

Wound prevention is hard, no doubt. But when we treat our residents like the whole humans they are, and when we work together as a team with a shared plan, we give ourselves a real shot at breaking the cycle.

Because they deserve more than just healing—they deserve to stay healed.

Learn more about SNF Wound Care’s very own wound care certification program by visiting https://bit.ly/3RUyOnT