September 18, 2020
No matter how old you are, surgery can be a physical and emotional challenge for you and your loved ones. So when you first found out your senior loved one was going to need surgery, of course you were nervous. Part of you wished you could do something to help. But now that the surgery is over, your senior loved one’s recovery is a top priority.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s natural to think about how to care for someone after surgery. While you couldn’t assist the doctor when your loved one had their surgery, there’s plenty you can do to help them get back on their feet. Here’s your opportunity to learn some of the best ways you can help your loved one thrive after surgery. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing you helped them reach a higher level of wellness.
It’s normal for seniors who just had surgery to experience feelings of helplessness. Since older adults take a longer time to heal, your loved one could be frustrated about having limited physical ability. After all, it’s hard to be patient when your lifestyle is disrupted.
Your loved one is likely to go through a roller coaster of emotions with every improvement or setback. It’s one of the most challenging factors of after-surgery in-home care. Often the loss of independence can be hard for your loved one to deal with. The good news is that your support and compassion can go a long way. Be patient with them, and set aside time each day to talk with them about how they’re feeling. Showing understanding can make a real impact in an older adult’s recovery after surgery.
If you’re wondering how to care for someone after surgery, make sure your loved one is getting enough sleep. Sleep is crucial to helping the body heal and recover. For seniors who have recently had surgery, regular sleep can be hard to come by. Pain, medications and stress are all common aspects of a recent surgery that can impact sleep.
While sleep issues are common, there are a few things you can do to help. First, help your loved one with their schedule. Encourage them to go to bed at the same time each evening. You can also help them practice relaxation techniques such as meditation as a natural way to help promote healthy sleep patterns.
Going with your senior loved one to their follow-up appointments can make a big difference in recovery after surgery. You’ll be able to help answer any questions from the doctor and lend your loved one support. It’s also recommended you take notes during doctors’ appointments as well. It’s a great way to help your loved one remember the most important advice their doctor tells them.
Being there while your loved one goes to any follow-up appointments can reduce any stress they might feel. Remind your loved one to be honest with their doctor about how they’re feeling. It’s a great example of how to care for someone after surgery while helping them still feel in control of their recovery. Providing accurate and up-to-date information to your loved one’s doctor can help ensure your loved one is getting quality recovery care.
Due to the loss of independence, it’s common for seniors to try to do too much after a surgery. It’s important for you to sit down with your loved one and set some boundaries. A great place to start is to review the post-operation introductions from their doctor. For example, following a hip replacement, seniors are supposed to avoid bending forward during recovery.
Sit down with your loved one and create a list of all their daily tasks and responsibilities. Then see if any of those activities conflict with the restrictions their doctor has mentioned. That will give you a good idea about how you can help your loved one during their recovery.
Having your loved one return home after surgery isn’t their only option. Managing after-surgery in-home care is often difficult on your own. The skilled nursing care at Franciscan Ministries helps seniors ease the transition from the hospital to their home. Your loved one will move into a Franciscan Ministries community for a short time, and from there, the expert staff will develop a personalized care plan for your loved one’s recovery.
The length of their stay will depend on your loved one’s unique needs. You and your loved one can expect:
You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your loved one’s recovery is in the hands of experts. Plus, the skilled nursing services at Franciscan Ministries will collaborate with your loved one’s doctor.
At Franciscan Ministries, we’re dedicated to helping your loved one make the most out of each day as they recover from surgery. Our expert skilled nursing and rehabilitation services team members have experience with elderly recovery after surgery and can help your loved one reach their highest level of wellness. . That way, they can get back to doing more of what they love. Contact us today to find a skilled nursing community near you and learn more about how we can support your loved one.
We offer rehabilitative services and skilled nursing care at the following communities.
© Copyright 2024|Privacy Policy|Disclaimer|Equal Housing|Accessibility|Site Map
