Patient & caregiver guides
Clear answers. Practical support.
Helpful information for patients, loved ones and the professionals involved in wound care.
For patients, families & caregivers
Changes to watch for with a diabetic foot wound
Knowing what to report can help you communicate with the clinicians caring for a diabetic foot wound.
Read more →Keeping wound follow-up connected after surgery
A few clear details can help patients, families and receiving care teams follow the surgeon’s plan after discharge.
Read more →A caregiver’s guide to pressure injuries
Questions and observations to share with the care team when a loved one is at risk for a pressure injury or bed sore.
Read more →Following the plan after a skin graft
Skin graft recovery should stay connected to the procedural clinician’s instructions for the graft and any donor site.
Read more →Questions about leg ulcers and compression
Use these questions to discuss a lower-leg wound, swelling and the recommended care plan with your treating clinician.
Read more →When to ask for additional wound care
If healing is not progressing or follow-up is difficult to arrange, discuss the next step with the treating clinician.
Read more →When to call about a wound VAC problem
A device problem or a change in the wound should reach the right care team. Keep the contacts and instructions for the specific device close at hand.
Read more →Preparing for your first wound care visit
A simple way to gather your questions, records, and personal priorities before meeting a wound care clinician.
Read more →Getting your home ready for a wound care visit
Practical questions about access, privacy, and household arrangements when a home visit has been scheduled.
Read more →Following up on a wound care request
Questions that help you find out whether a request was received, what information is missing, and who owns the next step.
Read more →Questions to ask about coverage and costs
A conversation checklist for your insurer and the care team before you make wound care arrangements.
Read more →How to describe a wound change to your care team
A plain-language framework for explaining what you noticed and getting your message to the right person.
Read more →Talking about wound pain and discomfort
Ways to put your experience into words so your clinician can understand your concerns and their effect on daily life.
Read more →A simple notebook for wound care visits
An easy structure for keeping questions, instructions, and next steps together without creating more work for yourself.
Read more →Who do I call? Build your care contact list
A practical way to record the people responsible for wound questions, scheduling, supplies, and care coordination.
Read more →Including a family member or friend in your care
Ways to choose the support you want while keeping your own questions, preferences, and privacy at the center.
Read more →Sharing care responsibilities with family
A practical handoff guide for relatives or friends who help with appointments, communication, and daily arrangements.
Read more →Keeping track of wound supply orders
Questions to clarify who orders supplies, whom to contact about deliveries, and how to report a problem.
Read more →Planning transportation and access for wound care
Questions about travel, mobility, scheduling, and care location when getting to an appointment is difficult.
Read more →Preparing for a wound care conversation in a facility
A guide for residents and families who want to understand the plan, share daily concerns, and clarify follow-up.
Read more →Speaking up about privacy and comfort
Ways to explain personal preferences before an examination, a care discussion, or the sharing of wound information.
Read more →When wound care feels overwhelming
Ways to bring worry, frustration, and practical strain into the care conversation and ask for the support you need.
Read more →Asking for communication support at your visit
How to explain language, hearing, vision, reading, or communication needs when arranging wound care.
Read more →For referring care teams
Wound referral checklist for discharge planners
A practical starting point for hospital social workers, case managers and discharge planners arranging community wound follow-up.
Read more →Planning wound rounds with your facility
Questions for skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation teams considering additional wound assessment and follow-up.
Read more →Connecting wound follow-up with home health
A shared understanding of roles helps the patient’s physicians, wound clinicians and home health nurses keep care consistent.
Read more →Gateway Wound Care
A clearer next step starts with a conversation.
For you, someone you love, or a patient in your care.
