Practical information for Ontario residents, families and caregivers.
What is a pressure injury?
A pressure injury is damage to skin or underlying tissue associated with sustained pressure or pressure combined with shear. People with limited mobility may be at increased risk. Pressure injuries can occur on heels, hips, the tailbone and other areas where the body bears weight.
Warning signs to watch for
Check for persistent changes in skin colour, warmth, swelling, tenderness, blisters or open areas. On darker skin tones, early injury may not look bright red; compare with surrounding skin and pay attention to changes in temperature, texture and pain. Seek professional assessment when you notice a concerning change.
Practical prevention steps
- Move and reposition: Encourage safe movement and position changes based on the person’s abilities and a clinician’s individualized plan.
- Check skin: Pay attention to areas under pressure and around medical devices.
- Manage moisture: Clean promptly after incontinence episodes, dry gently and use appropriate skin protection.
- Ask about support surfaces: A clinician may recommend a suitable cushion or mattress based on risk.
- Support nutrition and hydration: Discuss concerns with the care team, especially when a wound is present.
When wound care needs professional support
Do not attempt to cut away damaged tissue or treat a deep wound yourself. Seek prompt medical assessment for open skin, worsening pain, increasing drainage, foul odour or an area that is not healing. Fever, rapidly spreading redness or significant illness require urgent assessment.
Are wound-care supplies covered by ODSP?
Funding depends on the specific item, clinical need and program rules. Ontario’s Mandatory Special Necessities schedule identifies eligible categories and exclusions. It also explains that when Ontario Health atHome provides professional wound-care services, supplies needed for those services are generally provided through that service rather than the ODSP MSN benefit. Confirm your situation with your care team and ODSP caseworker before purchasing supplies.
Ontario resources
Read Ontario Health’s Pressure Injuries Quality Standard and the ODSP Mandatory Special Necessities schedule.
ODSP Support is an independent educational resource, not a Government of Ontario website. Program rules and individual circumstances may change. This article is not a substitute for medical advice or an eligibility decision from ODSP.