Recovering from surgery can be challenging, regardless of the cause of why you end up in the hospital in the first place. Creating an atmosphere in your home conducive for your healing can make a huge difference in your surgery recovery.
A well-prepared process for your home recovery saves everyone from unnecessary stress, hassle, and suffering later on. On the other hand, an ill-prepared post-operative home recovery, at worse, could only exacerbate your condition.
Definition of Post-Operative Care
Simply put, post-operative care refers to the supervision and management that a person receives after undergoing a surgical procedure. In simple surgical procedures, a person himself can take care of his surgery wounds. In major operations, however, a patient would need the aid of professional nursing care for eventual recovery.
The primary objective of post-operative care is to help deter any infection on the surgical wound. Emphasis is placed on guaranteeing the complete healing of the surgical cut. Other than that, post-operative care aims to restore the patient to his former mental and physical state.
The duration and kind of post-surgery care a patient needs largely depends on the surgical procedure undergone and the level of post-operative care necessary. Post-surgery care starts immediately after the surgical operation and only ends until the surgical wound is healed.
Preparing Your Home for Post-Operative Care
As mentioned, a planned out and organized post-operative home recovery can significantly impact one’s healing, both physically and mentally. Prior planning should include everything from the installation of non-slip flooring to prevent slips and falls for those recovering from physical injuries, to setting up of att internet plans to ensure the recovering patient can stream their favorite shows and keep in touch with online friends during this recovery process. Though post-surgery care varies from person to person due to age, types of procedures, and types of diseases, the following are some helpful guidelines in preparing your home for surgery after-care.
Fall Prevention
The number one general preparation to make your home post-surgery care ready is to take fall prevention measures. Making your home slip and fall free is especially important for older adults who have undergone a surgical operation.
Create a safe environment by discarding throw rugs, covering slippery areas with non-skid mats, and clearing paths from trip hazards. Obtaining a refinancing from a mortgage company to renovate your floor plan is also a good idea to prevent fall injuries.
Toilet Routine
It is essential as well to discuss with the medical team the patient’s post-surgery toileting needs. That way, your family would be able to decide the type of assistive equipment necessary to provide comfort and safety.
Medical professionals might recommend raised toilet seats and toilet safety frames to ensure convenience and for secured assistance. Assistive wiping equipment might also be recommended not only to maintain one’s dignity and independence but also to prevent any risk of injury.
For patients having difficulty making it to the bathroom with ease, bedpans and urinals are the best options. They help in preventing accidents and are commonly suggested during the first stage of home recovery.
Mobility Support
In most cases, mobility support is essential when recuperating from surgical operation. During the early stages of recovery, healthcare teams usually recommend using a wheelchair to aid patients in getting around. For patients who can get by on their own, using walking aids, such as canes or walkers, are generally suggested.
Bed Support
Regardless of one’s age, undergoing surgery causes lightheadedness and weakness. Medical experts highly suggest setting up one’s bed on the first-floor level if the patient lives in a multi-story house.
Furthermore, since a person recuperating from surgery spends most of the time in bed, making one’s bed as comfortable and flexible as a hospital bed is a priority. You could either make use of pillows or purchase an adjustable bed surface for such.
Other Guidelines
Apart from providing physical comfort for a post-operative recovering patient, it is crucial to ensure that the patient’s mental well-being is taken care of throughout the home recovery process. Even having small carefree conversations could help a lot in easing the pain the patient is undergoing.
Hiring help for cooking, shopping, running errands, bathing, and using the toilet also comes in handy. Nonetheless, most hospitals can provide trained caregivers who can assist in recovering patients during the first two weeks of home recovery.
How to Spend Time While Recovering From Surgery
If you are a patient recovering from surgery, here are some suggestions for you to pass the time.
- Enjoy a good novel you have been putting out for a while.
- Watch all the movies you want to see, whether on DVD or any streaming service.
- Discover new music with your streaming service.
- Entertain your visitors.
- Play video games, or you learn to play one.
- Pamper with home spas, massages, and nail manicure, and pedicure.
- Have a private journal to write down all your thoughts while on recovery.
- Join an online community and make new friends.
- Since you have all the time for yourself, spend it on meditation.
The process of home recuperation is no easy task. But with adequate preparation and planning, you can ensure comfort and ease to you and your loved ones.
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