Surgery is quite common among elderly Americans for several reasons. From cataract surgery and varicose vein surgery to hip replacements and prostate removal, there are some health issues associated with aging that only surgery can repair. Because elderly adults are often living with other significant health issues as well, surgery can be risky and recovery times are longer and more difficult.
Because recovery can be long and challenging, many seniors must rely on others to help them as they heal at home. While family members may be able to lend a hand, it can be very difficult for them to provide the full time and attention the aging adult needs. Many families are hiring elder care providers to provide the assistance and companionship that seniors need as they recover from surgery.
Does Every Senior Need Post-Surgery Care at Home?
Even elderly adults with the smallest and most routine surgeries require several weeks and even months to properly recover. Their doctors usually provide an outline about what milestones they should be hitting at what point. They will most likely restrict them from certain activities, depending on the type and scope of the surgery. When seniors get a chance to truly rest and recover, they will heal faster.
Elder care providers can be a big help to recovering seniors. Many family caregivers don’t want their loved ones to be alone in the first few weeks out of the hospital. Seniors are dealing with pain from the surgery, nausea from the anesthesia and mental stress from the frustration and isolation. An elder care provider can be there to handle large and small issues and allow the senior to rest and recuperate.
How Home Care Providers Can Help Post-Surgery Seniors
One of the first tasks for elderly adults to do post-surgery is to manage their pain. Elder care providers can remind them about taking medicine and help with hot or cold packs at the surgery site. Seniors will be tired and most likely in pain. The realities of their new limitations are just settling in and they may be feeling frustrated or worried. A home care provider can be a calm and reliable presence for the elderly adult.
For weeks after surgery, aging adults may not be strong enough to live independently. The elder care provider can help with health and safety issues such as bathing or showering, dressing, grooming and toileting. When it comes to taking care of the house, elder care providers can do that too. Tasks like sweeping, dusting, dishes, meal preparation, cleanup and laundry are all part of an elder care provider’s service to the aging adult. When someone else can do these tasks, the senior can rest and heal without stress or frustration.
When elderly Americans want to recover from surgery in their own home, they and their family members hire an elder care provider. The professional level of care and the compassion with which the elder care provider tends to the recovering senior is one of the best things that can be done to promote healing.
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