Having surgery is never pleasant, particularly if it is a more intensive operation. However, for senior citizens, surgery can pose a great risk, and it can often take them longer to recover. This can be frustrating and upsetting for them, but their family members might also worry about how quickly they can get better. If you have a senior relative you love who has recently undergone surgery, here are a few tips to help you assist them with their recovery.
Check-in with Them
A good place to start is by making sure that you’re checking in with your relative after surgery, including visits at the hospital when you can, as well as once they have returned home. The latter is even more important if they live alone, and you might want to think about staying over at their house if they are going to need help with chores, meal prep, and so on until they are better. Your visits can not only provide a nice distraction for them from the discomfort of the surgery but also allow you the chance to make sure they are comfortable and on the mend.
Consider Temporary Care Options
If you are unable to care for your elderly relative yourself when they have come out of surgery, you might want to think about other options. Hiring a private carer to visit with them at home could be beneficial and will allow them to get back to their space sooner. If this doesn’t feel suitable for their needs, you can also explore the option of a short stay in a residential care home as part of a transitional care period. This will be much more comfortable than a hospital but can also provide quality care 24/7 to give you all peace of mind until they can return home alone.
Ask the Doctor for Advice
You should also make sure that you have spoken to their doctor before they leave the hospital for more specific advice on how you can help their recovery. This includes pain medication management and other medications like antibiotics that they may have been prescribed. Any kind of diet they will need to stick to if this is relevant to their recovery is another thing to ask about, as well as any strengthening exercises that could help. Taking your relative to their check-up appointments is also essential to make sure that their recovery is moving forward as it should be.
Get Them Out of the House
While this might not be an option immediately after surgery, you should try to get your senior relative out of the house as their recovery progresses. Fresh air will help boost their mental and physical health. So whether it’s taking them out to a café for a coffee or on a walk if they can manage one, or taking them in a wheelchair, getting out of the house can perk them up and help them return to a more normal lifestyle after surgery.
If you want to make sure your senior relative feels loved and can recover quickly after surgery, use these tips to help you achieve this.
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