Recovering from surgery requires a lot more than just rest and medication. The home environment plays a crucial role in how smoothly and quickly your senior loved one gets back on his or her feet. Whether your loved one is scheduled for a minor procedure or a major operation, preparing the home for post-surgery care is essential to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery period.
Clear the Clutter & Create Space
One of the first steps in preparing your loved one’s home is to clear away any clutter that might obstruct movement. Post-surgery, your loved one’s mobility may be limited, and tripping hazards can pose a serious risk. Remove unnecessary items from pathways, especially if your loved one will be using mobility aids like crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair. Make sure frequently used areas like the living room and kitchen are free of clutter and easy to navigate.
Organize essential items within arm’s reach in each room. This includes remote controls, phones, medications, and water bottles. For a more streamlined recovery, consider setting up a recovery station near your loved one’s bed or recliner with everything he or she will need.
If possible, rearrange furniture to create wider pathways. You might need to shift sofas, chairs, and tables to ensure your loved one can move around easily. The less your loved one has to maneuver around obstacles, the safer and more comfortable his or her recovery will be.
Hiring a professional caregiver is another great way to support your loved one’s recovery process. 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 Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Adapt Your Sleeping Area for Comfort
Your loved one’s bed will likely be his or her main recovery spot, so making it as comfortable as possible is crucial. If the bedroom is upstairs, consider setting up a temporary sleeping area on the ground floor to avoid the strain of climbing stairs. A comfortable reclining chair can also serve as an alternative sleeping arrangement, especially if lying flat is uncomfortable.
Invest in supportive pillows and cushions to help your loved one maintain a comfortable position while sleeping and resting. Body pillows can provide added support for the back, hips, and legs, helping your loved one find a pain-free position. Additionally, an adjustable bed tray table can be a lifesaver for meals, medications, and activities like reading or using a laptop.
Ensure bed linens are clean and easy to change. Opt for soft, breathable sheets and blankets that won’t irritate sensitive skin. Having extra sets of bed linens on hand means you won’t have to worry about doing laundry so often during your loved one’s recovery.
Stock Up on Essentials
Before your loved one’s surgery, stock up on all the essentials he or she will need during his or her recovery period. This includes medications, medical supplies, personal hygiene items, and easy-to-prepare meals. Having everything your loved one needs on hand will help you avoid unnecessary trips to the store and allow him or her to focus on healing.
Prepare a week’s worth of healthy, easy-to-reheat meals. Stock your loved one’s freezer with soups, casseroles, and other nutritious options that require minimal effort to prepare. Pre-chopped fruits and vegetables, yogurt, and protein bars are also great options for quick, healthy snacks.
Make sure your loved one has all necessary medical supplies, such as dressings, gauze, antiseptic solutions, and any prescribed equipment like compression garments or ice packs. Keep all these items organized in a designated area so you and your loved one can easily access them when needed.
If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Cincinnati Assisting Hands Home Care can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Set Up a Communication Plan
Being able to communicate with friends, family, and healthcare providers is essential during your loved one’s recovery. Make sure your loved one’s phone is always within reach and fully charged. Consider setting up a landline or an additional phone if your loved one doesn’t already have one, especially if he or she lives alone.
Create a list of emergency contacts, including your loved one’s surgeon, primary care physician, and a trusted friend or family member. Keep this list in a prominent place, such as on the fridge or near your loved one’s phone. You may also want to inform a neighbor about your loved one’s surgery and recovery plans in case he or she needs immediate assistance.
Setting up a communication plan with family and friends can also provide emotional support. Regular check-ins or scheduled visits can help your loved one feel less isolated and more connected during his or her recovery.
Prepare for Personal Care
Personal hygiene can be challenging after surgery, so it’s important to prepare accordingly. Stock up on disposable cleansing wipes, no-rinse shampoos, and other products that make hygiene easier when mobility is limited. A shower chair and handheld showerhead can make bathing safer and more comfortable.
Lay out comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that’s easy to put on and take off. Avoid clothing with complicated fastenings, and opt for items with elastic waistbands and soft, breathable fabrics. Having several sets of comfortable pajamas or loungewear can make daily dressing easier.
Equip your loved one’s bathroom with nonslip mats, grab bars, and a raised toilet seat to prevent falls and make daily tasks more manageable. If bending or reaching is difficult for your loved one, consider providing him or her with long-handled tools like a grabber or shoehorn to assist with dressing and other activities.
Seniors recovering at home after surgery often need help with the activities of daily living. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Cincinnati families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Call today to speak with a friendly and experienced Care Manager to formulate a home care plan for your loved one.
