If you support someone at home, you’ll probably deal with a wound sooner or later. Sometimes it’s a small cut that settles quickly. Other times, it’s a slow-healing sore that needs proper wound assessment and a plan.

Either way, here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a clinician to do wound care basics well. In fact, the best carers don’t “do everything”. Instead, they keep things clean, keep the person comfortable, and know when to call a nurse.

This guide is written for everyday carers in NSW—family carers, support workers, and anyone helping a loved one at home—so you can feel confident without taking risks.

What “counts” as a wound in home care?

When people hear “wound”, they think of a cut. However, in community care, wounds include:

• Skin tears
• Cuts, grazesB & minor burns
• Post-surgery wounds
• Pressure—injuries
• Leg ulcers
• Diabetic—foot wounds
• Moisture-related skin breakdown

Even a small wound can become serious if healing slows/infection starts. Healthdirect advises getting medical—help if infection signs appear/if the wound doesn’t improve after about 5 days. Get details on Wound Care Service in NSW.

Carer vs nurse: what’s your job, really?

It helps to separate responsibilities:

What carers usually do well

• Keep the area clean and protected (as instructed)
• Help with safe showering and hygiene
• Check the wound—daily & note changes
• Encourage—hydration, nutrition & movement
• Report concerns early

What a nurse should handle

• Full wound assessment
• Choosing the right dressing & change—schedule
• Managing—infection risk & pain
• Escalating to a GP, urgent—care/hospital if needed

In other words: your power is noticing change early. Then, you hand over quickly when something looks off. Looking for a Nursing Services in NSW?

A simple “clean and calm” routine for wound care

You don’t need fancy steps. You need consistent ones.

1) Set up cleanly

Firstly, wash your hands well. Next, gather what you need so you’re not searching mid-way. If you use gloves, put them on after handwashing.

2) Be gentle, not aggressive

Then, follow the care plan. Avoid scrubbing—hard. Also, don’t pick at scabs/peeling skin—fragile skin tears easily, especially in older adults.

3) Keep it protected

After that, keep the wound covered if the nurse has recommended a dressing. A good dressing reduces—friction, keeps out dirt & helps healing.

4) Check the skin around the wound

Finally, look beyond the wound itself. Often, the surrounding skin tells you the real story—redness spreading, swelling, heat, or maceration (soggy white skin).

Dressing changes: do’s and don’ts for carers

Some carers are trained to do basic dressing changes. Others are not. Either is fine—what matters is safety.

If you are trained and you have a care plan

• Follow the plan exactly (same dressing type, same timing)
• Change dressings only as instructed
• Keep supplies dry and clean
• Dispose of waste safely

If you’re not trained (or you’re unsure)

• Don’t “wing it” with dressings
• Don’t trial random creams, powders, or antiseptics
• Don’t remove a stuck dressing by force

If a dressing is stuck, painful to remove, soaked through, or leaking, stop and call a nurse. That’s not you failing—that’s you protecting the person. Get details on Medication Management Services in NSW.

Signs the wound is improving (what “normal” can look like)

Carers often worry because wounds can look unpleasant even while they heal. So, here are common “okay” signs:

• Mild tenderness that slowly eases
• Small amounts of clear or pale fluid on the dressing
• Slight redness right at the edge (not spreading)
• The wound looks smaller, shallower, or less wet over time

Still, “okay” should trend in the right direction. If the wound—stalls/worsens, you escalate.

When to call a nurse: the red-flag checklist

Here’s the practical rule: call early when things change—quickly, smell different, hurt more/look worse.

Call a nurse the same day if you notice

• Spreading redness or swelling around the wound
• Heat around the wound, or skin that feels hotter than nearby areas New or increased wound discharge, especially thick or cloudy fluid
• Pus or the wound starts oozing pus
• A new/worsening smell
• Increasing pain
• The wound looks deeper, larger/darker than before

Also call a nurse if healing stalls

If the wound isn’t improving after about 5 days/it’s getting worse, Healthdirect recommends medical—review.

Consider it urgent if the person seems unwell

If they develop a temperature/fever, chills, or “just seem off,” don’t wait. Healthdirect lists fever/temperature as a key infection sign. Looking for a Respite Care Services in NSW?

A quick decision guide

If you’re unsure in NSW, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse day or night.

Situations where you should escalate earlier (don’t “wait and see”)

1) Diabetes (especially feet)

A tiny blister can become a major issue fast. Therefore, treat any diabetic foot wound as “nurse review soon”, not “let’s see”.

2) Low mobility / bedbound

Limited movement increases risk of pressure injuries. If a red patch doesn’t fade after pressure is removed, call early.

3) Dirty punctures, bites, or high-risk wounds

Healthdirect warns about tetanus risk for puncture wounds, dirty wounds & animal—bites. So, even if it looks small, it may need proper review.

4) Blood thinners or fragile skin

Bleeding & bruising can escalate quickly. If you can’t control bleeding with gentle—pressure, get help urgently.

Related Articles:

» How to access NDIS funding for wound care?

» Overcoming Wound Care challenges with NDIS support

» Effective Wound Care Services in New South Wales: What You Should Know

» How Wound Care Services Improve Recovery and Comfort?

» Benefits of NDIS Wound Care & Medication Management in New South Wales

How Advanced Integrity Care – NSW can support you

If you’re nursing somebody at home with a wound, regular help from a nurse could prevent complications & reduce hospital—visits. A nurse is able to carry out a thorough wound—assessment, select appropriate dressings, look for signs of infection & work in collaboration with the GP/wound clinic when necessary.

Most importantly, early action usually means simpler—treatment later.