With an increasingly ageing global population, an estimated 57 million people are living with dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new people diagnosed every year (World Health Organization, 2025a). Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death, as well as a major cause of disability and dependency among older people globally (WHO, 2025a).
The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) are committed to improving the skin health of all people at risk of skin tears and associated damage by providing education to clinicians, patients and everyone involved in providing care. Many of the risk factors for skin tears – particularly advanced age, frailty and some comorbidities – overlap with those for dementia. Therefore, individuals at risk of developing skin tears are at increased risk of dementia and vice versa.
Although there is increasing awareness of the links between dementia and skin damage, there is a key gap in wider knowledge with regard to practical information and guidance addressing this care intersection.
As such, a group of multidisciplinary experts from ISTAP, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) met online in November 2025 to discuss the issues relating to dementia and skin tears, with the aim of producing best practice guidance to aid all clinicians dealing with at-risk patient groups. This document summarises the discussion and recommendations.
This document aims to:
- Define terms relating to dementia and skin tears
- Explore the intersecting factors between dementia and skin tears, finding commonality and breaking down barriers
- Provide guidance on reducing risk and treating skin tears when they occur, with specific focus on individuals with dementia and how this may affect management of skin tears
- Provide tips on effective and respectful communication and patient engagement.
It is our hope to raise awareness of the importance of skincare and prevention of skin tears in this vulnerable group of people living with dementia to improve their quality of life and health outcomes.
Professor Karen Ousey, Chair
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