Improving wound care at Helen Henderson Care Centre
For the past 10 years, Lindsay Geris, RPN and Wound Care Lead at Helen Henderson Care Centre, has been making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents through her passion for wound prevention, education and healing.
A nurse for 15 years, Lindsay developed her passion for wound care early in her career while working in community nursing, including experience in wound care clinics. She later became a Wound Care Champion through the Canadian Association for Wound Care, now known as Wounds Canada. After joining Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview, Lindsay recognized the importance of strengthening wound-care knowledge and education among staff. About six years into her time at the home, she took on the role of Wound Care Lead.
“Lindsay is an amazing leader in our home. Her expertise, knowledge, and passion for learning about new and innovative tools and products have provided the staff with increased knowledge and skills to minimize wounds and promote effective wound healing,” explains Sue Reynolds, Director of Care.
According to Sue, the results speak for themselves. The home’s wound-care statistics have shown a 50 per cent decrease compared with 2025. In addition, wounds that were present prior to admission or acquired while a resident was in hospital are healing more quickly.
Lindsay credits this success to teamwork, education and a strong focus on prevention. She reviews wound-care data and statistics each month, using the information to identify trends, guide education and support practice improvements. She also encourages staff to recognize early warning signs, such as redness or at-risk areas, so interventions can begin before a wound develops or worsens.
“Prevention is always better than trying to heal a wound once it has developed,” Lindsay says.
Her commitment to learning continues as well. Last year, Lindsay furthered her education by becoming an accredited Wound Care Champion through a micro-credential program at Nipissing University, expanding her knowledge of wound care and practice change.
For Lindsay, wound care is about much more than choosing the right dressing. Nutrition, mobility, circulation, moisture, pressure and a resident’s overall health can all play a role. Her goal is to continue building a culture of prevention and education throughout the home while helping residents maintain their skin integrity, comfort, dignity and quality of life.
“Seeing a wound heal is wonderful, but seeing a wound prevented in the first place is even more rewarding,” Lindsay says.
The home encourages residents, families and staff to take the time to stop and speak with Lindsay about skin-care management. Her knowledge, expertise and passion for wound care are making a positive impact on both our residents and our team—and helping Helen Henderson continue to raise the standard of care we provide.
To learn more about living or working at Helen Henderson Care Centre, please call 613-384-4585.
