Post-surgical recovery can make even routine daily tasks seem complex and time-consuming. Basic tasks take more time and can seem emotionally daunting. And for independently living seniors, recovering from surgery can entail a range of additional risks—from falls and medication errors to management of postoperative complications. That’s why it’s so important to support post-surgical patients’ physical and emotional health as they heal.

 Let’s look at some of the ways an in-home caregiver can make postoperative recovery easier.

Providing a Healing Environment

In-home post-surgical recovery has been shown to reduce patient stress, speed healing, and improve outcomes. An in-home caregiver can help to make each patient’s home a safer and more conducive to healing. Here are just a few examples…

• Creating a one-floor living space. For many post-surgical patients, negotiating stairs can be problematic. A home care aide can work with family members to help create a single-floor living space that will meet the physical and convenience needs of patients with limited mobility during post-surgical recovery.
• Stocking up on healthy and nutritious foods. A professional in-home caregiver can assist in both grocery shopping and in checking the freshness of stored foods. This can help ensure compliance with post-surgical dietary directives while providing a complete and nutritious diet to promote healing.
• De-cluttering the house. A cluttered home can make finding even simple items (like the TV remote) challenging. An in-home assistant can help with light housekeeping, such as clearing clutter from thoroughfares and organizing often-used objects.
• Assisting with medication compliance. Following post-surgical instructions is essential to reducing recovery times and improving outcomes. An in-home caregiver can assist in helping clients understand what their new meds do, when to take them, and how to track pill counts to ensure proper dosing. An in-home caregiver can also work with a client’s post-surgical care team to determine each patient’s precise needs.

Transportation

Surgery can make even getting to essential follow-up appointments difficult. An in-home caregiver can help ensure that you or your loved one follows all post-discharge orders and keeps follow-up appointments post surgery. A caregiver can pick up meds at the pharmacy and can review each medicine with the client to ensure correct dosing at home.

Communication

An in-home caregiver is also a great asset in facilitating effective communication between healthcare professionals and family members. We help our clients understand and comply with post-discharge orders, and can help family members understand their loved one’s post-surgical needs.

Physical Support

During the healing process, patients may need time to regain abilities they once had. A professional in-home caregiver can assist with simple activities such as transitioning from a chair or bed to standing, assistance in dressing, and assistance in bathing or toileting.

Emotional Support

People heal better when they are supported both physically and emotionally. An in-home caregiver can be there for your loved one even when you or other family members cannot. A trained in-home caregiver can be a compassionate listener and can help support recovering patients who experience cognitive decline, helping create memory cues and helpful home reminders

If you or a loved one is scheduled for surgery, now’s the time to think about postoperative in-home care. At 5 Star Home Care, we make every effort to understand the needs of each of our post-surgical patients, providing a healing environment within comfortable and familiar surroundings. Our professional caregivers are trained to assist patients regain function and build confidence as they recover. We’re also there to reduce common post-surgical risks—such as falls and medication errors—so you or your loved one can focus on recovery.

Don’t leave postoperative care to chance. 5 Star Home Care serves the Philadelphia metro area, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. Contact us today, and discover what peace of mind feels like.

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