After a joint replacement surgery, your senior loved one may experience pain, swelling, and limited mobility. As a caregiver, you can make the post-op transition as smooth as possible. Here are a few effective ways to care for a senior after a joint replacement.
Get Ready for Medication Management
Before the operation, the doctor may prescribe medications to reduce soreness and prevent infection. Pick up all prescriptions before the surgery, and know what dosages your loved one is supposed to take. Your parent may be dizzy or fatigued in the days after the surgery, and he or she may need help following the prescribed medication plan.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to speed up your parent’s recovery process. In Mississauga, 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.
Create the Right Recovery Environment
To facilitate the healing process, it’s best to equip your loved one’s home with all the recovery essentials. Depending on the type of joint replacement surgery, your loved one may need pillows to elevate the leg and ice packs to minimize swelling at the surgery site. Assess your loved one’s post-op accessibility needs and acquire items that will make his or her life a little easier, like grabber devices and clap-activated lights. If your loved one sleeps on the second floor, you may want to arrange a recovery bedroom on the first floor.
Assist with Medical Needs
For the first week or so after joint replacement surgery, the surgical site needs to be monitored and cared for. You may be directed to check the area every day for unusual swelling, inflammation, or bleeding, clean the wound, and change the bandages. If you’re not familiar with proper wound care, ask your loved one’s doctor for more information before the surgery.
Older adults who need help recovering from a 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 elderly care. Mississauga families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s 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 stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Track the Recovery Process
In the days and weeks after surgery, your loved one may experience mild disorientation. Even if your loved one is feeling mentally sharp, he or she may not be able to accurately gauge the recovery process. Try to keep track of the recovery, which includes writing down any questions that arise. Make a list of questions covering wound care, recovery timeline, physical therapy, and anything else you want to ask the doctor. Preparing questions can help you and your loved one prepare for the post-surgery follow-up appointments.
Do the Paperwork
Recovering from surgery can negatively impact physical, mental, and emotional health. After a major surgical procedure, your parent may have to manage several bills, ranging from hospitalization charges to medications. Try to keep track of the bills and make sure they’re paid on time.
Motivate Your Loved One
After the first few weeks of recovery are over, your loved one may need to start a physical therapy treatment. If your parent has difficulty managing the post-op exercise regimen, give him or her pep talks as needed. You should also make sure your loved one attends physical therapy sessions on a regular basis.
Caring for a recuperating senior can take a toll on a caregiver’s own health. Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you are caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Mississauga families who want to avoid burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. Call us at 905-337-1200 to schedule a free in-home consultation.