Hip replacement is a common operation for seniors that involves removing damaged or diseased parts of a hip joint and replacing them with artificial parts. While the procedure can greatly increase mobility, your elderly loved one is likely to need assistance during the initial recovery period. Providing such help requires some planning and preparation before surgery.
Encourage Mobility
Seniors are usually urged to at least try walkers or similar devices prior to leaving the hospital. When your loved one gets home, have such equipment on hand to encourage mobility.
Prepare the Home
Keeping the floors and pathways in the home clear of obstacles can maintain a safe environment for your loved one and reduce the risk of falls. After hip surgery, your loved one may be unable to lift his or her feet, causing him or her to trip over rugs, toys, or even pets. Make sure throw rugs are removed, and take other safety precautions throughout your loved one’s home to minimize potential hazards. Place frequently used items within easy reach on stands or countertops. In addition to keeping small items off the floors, make sure your loved one’s eyeglasses are kept clean so his or her vision will remain clear.
Home preparations may also include:
- Using raised toilet seats
- Having a water bottle nearby
- Setting up a temporary first-floor bedroom
- Freezing some meals for easy preparation
Prevent Blood Clots
Inflatable air sleeves or elastic compression stockings are often recommended to prevent blood clots. Your loved one may also be prescribed blood-thinning medications.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to speed up your parent’s recovery process. Elderly home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Schedule Physical Therapy Sessions
Initial physical therapy sessions can usually be scheduled in advance. After the therapist assesses your loved one, follow-up sessions will be scheduled based on your loved one’s specific needs. The physical therapist will also teach you and your loved one exercises to expedite the healing process. As a caregiver, you can ensure your family member understands the instructions and remembers to do the exercises as recommended. Following aftercare instructions can prevent complications such as infection, dislocation, and discomfort.
Older adults who need help recovering from surgery can benefit from professional in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Roseville families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can prevent cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Make Transportation Arrangements
Follow-up doctors’ visits will be necessary during the recovery process. If you’re not available to provide rides, consider using a senior transportation service or hire a caregiver who can provide transportation for your loved one on a regular basis. You can further aid your loved one after hip replacement by ordering pain medications ahead of time to avoid trips to the pharmacy. If your loved one needs a little push to ask for help, encourage him or her to do so, and make regular visits to check in. Temporary at-home care during the recovery period is another possible source of assistance worth considering.
Caring for a recuperating senior can take a toll on a caregiver’s own health. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Roseville, CA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.