Importance Of In-Home Patient Care For Hip Replacement Surgery 

March 25, 2022 0 Comment Category: Assisted Living

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure that is usually performed on seniors above the age of sixty. This procedure is typically performed when hip problems significantly interfere with the day-to-day activities of the person. People suffering from hip problems can experience severe pain from arthritic conditions. The condition can become so bad that the mobility of the person can be negatively affected. It can make it difficult for seniors to feel independent at home when they are struggling with mobility issues and are unable to perform daily routines. 

 

After a person undergoes hip replacement surgery, the home of the person plays an important role in helping the person return to normal life after the hospital stay. Also, senior caregivers play a significant role in the recovery of the person after the surgery. Let us see how senior care providers can help patients recover quickly from hip replacement surgery. 

 

Caregivers Can Let Patients Focus On Healing 

When a senior person who has undergone hip replacement has the support of caregivers, the person can focus on his or her healing. Despite being a major surgery, the patient should be able to return to their daily life in time after their hip replacement. The care team of the person should prepare the senior caregiver for all the things to expect at home in the healing period. Seniors getting new hips should focus on getting stronger and this will include pain management and taking part in regular but moderate exercise. The exercise should be aimed at making the muscles around the hips stronger. 

 

Seniors recovering from hip replacement could experience issues after surgery, including complications, blood clots, or infections. Patients and caregivers should be aware that some of the complications will be specific to the type of implant that is used in hip replacement surgery. Also, caregivers should be prepared to help patients with daily activities. This is because the hip has to heal completely before patients can return to their routines. 

 

Successful Recover After Hip Replacement Begins At Home 

It is important to understand much of the healing after a hip replacement surgery takes place at home. The recovery takes place in conjunction with rehab appointments and doctor visits. Senior caregivers should prepare their homes before the person goes into surgery. The preparation should include making a convenient environment for the recovering senior to maneuver through, ensuring that the patient is comfortable and managing the pain, and setting up a network to help the senior caregiver with their daily responsibilities.

 

The doctor of the senior person can provide an extensive list to ensure proper in-home care of the person. But, shared below are some usual things to prepare: 

• Ensure that walking aids are nearby. The walking aids can include a walker, crutches, or cane. Senior caregivers can consult with the doctor to see what the expert recommends. 
• Ensure that there are no objects on the floor that can make the senior trip and fall. These can include slippery and old rugs, uneven floor, loose cords, etc. 
• Make sure to place glasses, books, snacks, medications, remote controls, etc within the reach of the senior person. 
• Select the ground floor for the senior person to recover after this major surgery. This can help avoid stairs. 
• Do not let the senior person use recliners or low chairs. Ensure that the senior always sits in chairs with arms. 

Hip replacement and recovery can take a long time. But with proper preparation and patience, a senior person should be able to return to normal life with the help of their caregiver.