Undergoing joint replacement surgery can relieve pain, improve mobility and quality of life, and enhance health and safety. However, the recovery process can be slow and frustrating. Full recovery can take months or even a year, and the recovery period can be risky, especially for people who live alone.
If you have an elderly loved one who has undergone a joint replacement procedure, you might want to stay with them during the first few weeks of their recovery or hire an in-home caregiver. Here is a closer look at the emotional side of surgical recovery for seniors and how you can help your loved one cope post-joint replacement.
Start Preparing Before the Surgery
If possible, you and your loved one can start preparing before the surgery takes place. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about pre-surgery exercises they can do to optimize their strength and reduce the risk of surgical complications. You should also help them maintain a healthy diet. Preparing their home ahead of time can also make recovery easier.
Hire an expert to complete a home safety evaluation and make necessary repairs and upgrades to reduce your loved one’s risk of a fall or accident during their recovery. Install grab bars and railings, and consider purchasing assistive devices like a shower seat, raised toilet seat, cane, and walker.
Coordinate With their Medical Team
Work closely with your loved one’s medical team to gain a better understanding of their expected recovery timeline. You can get advice on specific care items you’ll need for the home, as well as determine what in-home care services your loved one will need post-surgery.
Make sure you are aware of your loved one’s rehabilitative plan and medication schedule so that you can encourage adherence to post-surgical instructions. Try to get the instructions printed out for you or take notes so that you won’t forget anything.
Involve Friends and Family
Your loved one’s friends and family should also be involved in the process. They can provide post-surgical care when you aren’t available, as well as make meals, go grocery shopping, run errands, and help with housework. Remember that you can’t do it all on your own, nor should you try to.
You need to take care of your own physical and mental health and take time to recuperate so that you can be a better caregiver. Allow family members to assist in the rehabilitation process and help your loved one improve their mobility. This will reduce the risk of complications.
Make Sure They Have a Voice in Their Recovery Process
To help your loved one retain some independence and control over their environment, make sure they have a voice in their recovery process. Routinely ask for their input and give them the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their concerns, and make decisions.
Involve them in meal planning and preparation to make sure they get adequate nutrition as they recover without feeling deprived. This will help them stick to their post-surgical rehabilitation plan and will ensure they don’t feel as frustrated.
Offer Sympathetic, Non-Judgmental Support
If your loved one struggles to adjust during their recovery, provide sympathetic and non-judgmental support. Find out what you can do to ease their journey, whether it is providing assistance around the house, hiring a caregiver, or running errands for them. Make sure your loved one is able to get the rest they need and that they have time alone when they ask for it so that they can decompress and de-stress.
Recognize the Warning Signs of Depression
It’s natural for someone to feel isolated, anxious, or depressed when they experience a significant medical event like surgery. If your loved one is having trouble retaining their independence and returning to their normal pre-surgery routine, they might start to exhibit signs of depression. It’s important that you are able to recognize these warning signs so that you can get your loved one the help they need:
- Severe or persistent sadness
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in hobbies and activities
- Inability to get out of bed
- Lack of personal grooming
- Neglected housework or pets
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Trouble sleeping or prolonged periods of sleepiness or fatigue
- Slowed speech or movement
- Irritability and mood swings
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Withdrawal from socialization
- Memory problems or cognitive difficulties
Seek Advice From Professionals
If your loved one does seem down in the dumps, you might want to seek advice from professionals. A professional can assess your loved one’s physical and mental health and recommend remedies, including therapy and medication. Remember that you can’t do it all alone, and sometimes professionals are better equipped to provide unbiased advice and support to someone who is struggling. Your loved one may feel more comfortable sharing their true feelings with a stranger than a member of their family.
Focus on Long-Term Overall Health
In addition to providing day-to-day support for your loved one, also focus on their long-term overall health. Encourage them to be consistent with their physical therapy and rehabilitation program, and consider joining them in low-impact activities like swimming or walking.
Continue evaluating their home for safety to minimize the risk of falls and help them make ongoing adjustments to their routine and lifestyle as they recover. Be sure to celebrate the wins and successes so that your loved one can stay optimistic about their future recovery.
Hire an In-Home Caregiver
You and your family can work together to provide care for your loved one alongside their medical team and physical therapy and rehabilitation team. However, even family members need a break from caregiving so that they can manage their own physical and mental health.
An in-home caregiver can offer respite care services and bridge the gap between what the professional medical staff provides and what you and your family can do. An in-home caregiver who specializes in joint replacement care can help your loved one improve their mobility and maintain their safety and independence in their home.
Call Placita In Home Care for Joint Replacement Care
At Placita In Home Care, we offer joint replacement care services in the comfort of your loved one’s own home. We can perform a home safety evaluation to ensure your loved one’s home is set up to support their recovery, as well as provide transportation to medical appointments, medication management, meal preparation, light housework, mobilization assistance, and other home care services.
Our goal is to make sure your loved one is safe as they recover. If your loved one is currently in a rehabilitation center or clinical facility, we can ease their transition back into their own home. To schedule a consultation for joint replacement care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.