How Home Care Can Help Older Adults After Surgery
An older adult may have surgery for a number of reasons. They may have heart surgery, cancer surgery, or a joint replacement. Whatever the reason for surgery, your aging relative is bound to need some help during the recovery period. The extra care they need may be more than your current schedule can handle. Fortunately, home care can be hired on a temporary basis to assist a senior while they recover. Here are some of the things a home care provider can do for your loved one after a surgery.
Keeping Needed Items Close By
A home care provider can make sure the older adult has all of the items they use frequently on hand, eliminating the need for them to get up often. This can reduce the risk that they will fall. For example, by placing the telephone where the senior can reach it, there will be no need for them to try to rush to the phone, risking losing their balance or tripping.
Assisting with Pet Care
If the older adult has a pet, they may be unable to manage some of the basic care. A home care provider can assist with feeding and watering pets. They can also take dogs outside or clean cat litter boxes. Knowing their pet is being taken care of allows the older adult to relax and enjoy their pet without worrying.
Help Moving Safely Around the House
Your aging relative may have difficulty walking safely. Their balance may be compromised, or they may have weakness that could cause them to fall. A home care provider can help them by reminding them to use assistive devices and offering physical support.
Prepare Meals
After a surgery, your aging relative might not be able to stand in the kitchen to make meals, lift heavy pots, or bend to get ingredients and tools. A home care provider can cook meals for them, sticking to any special food requirements and the older adult’s preferences.
Transportation
People are often restricted from driving after a surgery. Home care can offer transportation to follow-up medical appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or anywhere else the senior may need to go.
Wound Care
The older adult will probably come home with instructions for taking care of the surgical incision. However, they may have difficulty following the instructions on their own. A home care provider can assist with cleaning and bandaging the incision according to the doctor’s guidelines.
Sources
https://orthospecialtyclinic.com/2016/02/13/1548/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/things-to-have-at-home-after-your-surgery-3156905
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/home-self-care#1
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME CARE IN DES MOINES, IA, FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!