If your elderly loved one is having knee replacement surgery, there are plenty of things he needs to do to prepare for it and provide his surgeons with the best possible environment for them to perform the surgery. Being prepared also means a better procedure for him and an opportunity to get home quickly and recover in the comfort of his own home with his favorite objects, people, and views. A trained in-home rehabilitation professional can come directly to him and guide him safely through the rehabilitation process.
Be Ready for the Challenges at Home
While full recovery will take weeks, possibly even months for your loved one, those first few days either back in his own home or staying with a loving caregiver can be the toughest as both he and his caregiver adjust to new roles that need to be followed. He will be relying on direct help for many activities that perhaps he hasn’t had to ask for help with beforehand.
One way to help ease this transition is to have everything ready when he comes home so he doesn’t feel the stress of family members and caregivers scrambling to help him.
Five Things You Can Do Before He Comes Home from Surgery
Set up a Sensible Recovery Area. While you determine where he’ll spend the majority of his time recovering, consider the following important considerations.
Is the area free from steps? If possible, have your loved one recover on the home’s main floor, which also has a bathroom on the same level. Even just two or three steps can provide a big hurdle if he needs to use the bathroom.
Does the room have adequate light and can it also be darkened during the day? Since your loved one will sleep more at first to recover, make sure the room can have curtains drawn to shut out light if needed. Also, make sure there is adequate light for your loved one to do tasks such as reading or puzzles.
Is it away from household traffic? Just like reducing light during the day, you also want to reduce noise levels for sleep.
Prepare some meals ahead of time. Assemble some easy-to-heat freezer meals or have plans on some delivery options, especially during those first few days. It can help to ask friends and family to bring meals or their specialty baked goods to provide comfort and ease with food.
Plan for Pet Care. If your loved one has a pet, determine beforehand if the pet will be staying with him as he recovers or if you’ll need to set up pet care elsewhere. Having his pet nearby may provide him comfort but occasionally, it’s not an option so plan ahead of time.
Arrange Home Care. You might need some help with housework while caring for your loved one, especially if you’re doing it in his home.
Plan for In-Home Rehabilitation. As your loved one learns how to use his knee again, he’ll need help with in-home rehabilitation. Following the recommended exercises and movement from his doctor will help him recover more quickly but he might not want to listen to you.
By taking care of these five things before your loved one comes home, you’ll be creating a successful recovery environment.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Rehabilitation Services in Stonybrook NY, please get in touch with the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call (631) 424-7827
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Long Island and in NYC including Dix Hills, Floral Park, Great Neck, Huntington, Manhasset, Massapequa, Northport, Plainview, Rockville Center, Stonybrook, Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens County.
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