Planning Post-Operative Care at Home
Post-operation recovery can be challenging for anyone, but especially for seniors. The more we age, the longer it takes to heal. Post-operation patients often experience loss of mobility and require extra support while healing or coming to terms with their new normal.
Helping your loved one get back on their feet requires patience, organisation, and planning. Discussing a plan with your loved one early ensures they receive the care they need in an emergency.
Step 1: Discuss a Post-Operative Care Plan with Your Healthcare Provider
Start by chatting with your loved one’s medical team. They can explain the entire pre- and post-surgery process and answer any questions you have. Be sure to ask what you should prepare for a smooth recovery experience.
Medication list: Ask for a list of medications your loved one will need and have those pre-filled beforehand so you’re not scrambling when the time comes. Ask for over-the-counter medicines to help relieve any post-surgery symptoms ahead of time; this will save you a lot of stress later on.
Emergency contact: Ensure you and your loved one’s care team have exchanged contact information in case of emergencies. You should also prepare copies for friends and relatives so they know who to call should you not be around.
Prepare a list of questions for the doctor before your visit so you don’t forget anything. Your questions can include:
- How long will post-surgery recovery take?
- How should your loved one care for their incision?
- How much or little physical activity should your loved one do?
- What should your loved one eat to speed up recovery?
- What behaviours should be avoided during recovery?
Step 2: Prepare a Safe Recovery Environment
Today, many operations are minimally invasive and require only short hospital stays. The majority of the recovery process will happen at home. To help your loved one have a smooth recovery, ensure their home is safe and comfortable throughout the recovery process.
Create a safe recovery environment: Loss of mobility is common in post-operation patients, and getting around their homes may become difficult. Make their recovery environment as safe as possible by moving furniture to make high-traffic areas more accessible and removing heavy or badly placed objects to avoid bumps and bruises. Their medication should also be in an easy-to-reach location.
Prepare nutritious post-operation meals: A healthy and well-balanced diet is the key to post-operation recovery. Nutritious meals not only boost the immune system but can also reduce the risk of complications. Prepare nutritious frozen meals or schedule fresh daily meals for your loved one to remove the stress of cooking while recovering. Remember to include plenty of hydration while planning meals.
Assess their wardrobe: Prepare loose and comfortable post-operation clothing to decrease discomfort and allow more mobility. Avoid tight and hard-to-secure clothing; opt for clothing and footwear that can be easily slipped on or off without back lacing or zips.
Step 3: Post-Operation Mental Health Care
Surgery is not only physically challenging but also mentally challenging for the patient. Recovery is often a long and frustrating journey that can take a toll on your loved one’s mental health.
Provide entertainment: Patients often feel isolated and lonely during their recovery process. To help alleviate their boredom, provide them with non-physical entertainment like podcasts and books to keep them mentally stimulated. Visit them as frequently as you can to give them a chance to socialise and discuss what’s happening outside or anything new they have learned.
Ease feelings of guilt: Lower mobility after surgery often leads to dependency and guilt for taking up your time. Remember to reassure your loved ones that they’re not a burden and that you want to help and support them after surgery. If you’re finding it difficult to care for your loved ones alone, consider hiring a caregiver for extra support or respite care.
Explore High-Quality Home Nursing Support
A smooth post-surgical recovery requires planning. From doctor appointments and medication management to daily activities like bathing and cleaning, your loved one may need extra help to feel comfortable and cared for during recovery.
If you don’t think you’ll have the time or energy to provide the care they need, consider hiring in-home nursing care. It’s not shameful to have other priorities in life and want to offer your loved ones a better level of care than you alone can provide.
Nurse Next Door goes the extra mile by matching your loved one with their ideal caregiver. That means not only are they able to care for your loved ones’ needs, but they can also provide companionship and keep their morale up during a stressful situation.
Our home nurses provide high-quality post-operative care for your loved ones so you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one is well cared for. From scheduled nursing visits to hourly care, they’ll be able to assist your loved one with:
- Medication management
- Personal hygiene needs
- Transportation to and from appointments
- Daily tasks like cooking and cleaning
You’ll also be paired with a professional care manager who communicates with your loved one’s care team and healthcare providers. This is designed to reduce stress and administrative headaches for you and your loved one so you can focus on their recovery.
