Living with a wound
By Mark Collier, Lead Nurse Consultant – Tissue Viability, United Lincolnshire Hospitals and Sylvie Hampton, Tissue Viability Consultant, Tissue Viability Consultancy Services, Eastbourne.
How wounds affect quality of life
A patient's ‘quality of life’ experience is dependent upon them
being content with the following aspects of their life: physical, psychological, emotional, social (and economic) and spiritual.
There can be many reasons for patients with wounds to feel isolated, lonely or that their quality of life experience has been negatively affected. In the same way that every wound and condition is different, so is every patient. Some patients feel that their wound reduces their quality of life. They may cite the following reasons:
- The wound is painful and makes mobility difficult
- The wound produces a lot of fluid and causes embarrassment if it makes outer clothing wet
- Some wounds can produce odours which can also cause embarrassment as well as low self-esteem
- Feeling that they are a burden to family and friends.
Wounds can have a physical impact such as pain, odour, impaired mobility and sleepless nights, but they also have a social impact as patients may go out less often and see their friends and relatives less frequently. For those patients who are in employment, living with a wound means that they might potentially have to stop working causing financial issues, as well as a feeling of loss of independence.
Living with a wound is not easy, but living with a patient with a wound can also be a challenge. Partners need to provide care, moral support and may need to contribute more financially if the patient can no longer work.
Support for patients and carers
Healthcare
professionals can provide patients with information on how to improve
their medical condition and they can also encourage the patients to take an
active part/role in their own care. Social support groups
are also a great place to meet new people in a similar situation and to share
the feelings related to living with a wound.
Modern wound care treatments help with wounds that are painful, produce lots of fluid and have odours. Many dressings are low profile and allow patients to wear normal clothing, including socks and shoes. Many are also waterproof, allowing the patient to take a shower.
Patients who are happy in themselves and continue to have a more positive outlook are usually the ones who make the quickest progress. Studies have demonstrated that patients suffering from anxiety and/or depression have much slower healing processes than those who have a more positive outlook on life. Healthcare professionals aim to encourage patients to stay positive and lead their normal life as much as possible. It is also important that healthcare professionals provide you with consistency of care whenever possible. If this care is undertaken by the same nurse/staff, there is some evidence to suggest that this also increases your chance of healing.
It is important for you to stay as mobile as you can (following guidance from your healthcare professional) as exercise increases the blood flow and helps the wound healing process to progress.
It is always best to discuss your concerns regarding your quality of life with your healthcare professional. They will be able to give you more specific advice on your health and well-being.
Where to get advice
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