Home Care After Surgery

Understanding Home Care After Surgery

What Does Home Care After Surgery Involve?

Home care after surgery may include wound care, mobility assistance, medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, and other medical or nonmedical support. 

Older adults are more likely to have surgeries for bone breaks or a chronic medical condition caused by age-related changes, accidents, or injuries. A skilled nursing caregiver and home health agency help clients heal after surgery by providing expert guidance and practical assistance.

Medical caregivers, including nurses, change wound dressings, assess healing progress, monitor vital signs, manage medications, and assist clients with activities of daily living.

How Do Care Needs Change Based on the Type of Surgery?

Severe surgeries may require more extensive care, such as help with basic tasks, while minor surgeries often require significantly less support.

More severe surgeries may leave people bed-bound and completely reliant on caregivers to use the toilet, dress, wash, eat, maintain personal hygiene, and complete other basic daily tasks.

However, minor surgeries often require much less support, and some people may not even need at-home medical support, instead relying on family members or nonmedical caregivers for assistance.

Every type of surgery requires different follow-up care. For example, a broken hip recovery may involve physical therapy, mobility assistance, and personal care. Surgery to remove neck cancer may completely change how a person chews and what types of foods they can eat.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers post-surgery recovery meals that support immune function and provide nutrients that promote healing.

What Should Families Expect During the Recovery Period at Home?

Families should expect to monitor their loved one for any complications, ensure proper wound care, and assist their loved one in adhering to discharge and recovery instructions from their medical team. 

Recovery looks different for everyone and may come with complications. Families should discuss what to expect with their loved one’s doctor to ensure they fully understand the scope of their responsibilities. Often, a family member provides caregiving support for their loved one during recovery.

Creating a Post-Surgery Care Plan

Why Is a Personalized Care Plan Essential for a Smooth Recovery?

Personalized care plans consider the client’s unique factors to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to recovery. 

A care team helps coordinate post-operative care and hospital discharge by developing a detailed care plan. Comprehensive plans provide elder care and meet the specific needs of older adults healing from surgery. Personalized home health care promotes peace of mind and improves overall well-being.

What Information Should Be Included in a Loved One’s Care Plan?

A care plan generally includes the following information: 

• Instructions for wound care
• Dietary restrictions and nutritional guidelines 
• Medication list and instructions
• Contact information for the care team in case of complications
• Potential complications, warning signs, and how to respond
• Step-by-step guidelines for each stage of recovery
• Follow-up appointments or check-ins 
• Summary of recovery goals

Quality care uses personalized plans to keep seniors healthy, safe, and comfortable during recovery.

Supporting Daily Living and Personal Care Needs

Which Daily Activities May Require Assistance After Surgery?

Some daily activities people may need assistance with after surgery include: 

• Housekeeping 
• Personal hygiene 
• Mobility and transportation 
• Running errands
• Emotional support

Family members can safely assist with personal care tasks by educating themselves about their loved one’s needs and the appropriate ways to address them. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals can provide guidance and support to family members who are caregivers. Family support often improves treatment outcomes and the quality of senior care.

When Should You Consider In-Home Care Services for Daily Support?

Seek support if you or a loved one struggles with tasks of daily living or experiences a reduced quality of life due to issues that home care services can address. 

The type of care and the client’s needs will generally depend on their mental and physical health. You may need to get home health care support if your loved one experiences complications during surgery recovery or if they have multiple health issues that require specialized care.

Medical and Skilled Nursing Care at Home

What Medical Care Is Needed During Post-Operative Recovery?

Each type of operation requires a specific recovery process, and the type of home health care or support services you may benefit from will depend on the type of surgery.

Older adults often have multiple co-occurring health issues or other factors that may interfere with their recovery after a surgery or other form of treatment. Doctors will provide a detailed breakdown with medical guidelines and instructions for healing during post-operative recovery.

How Can Skilled Nursing Services Support Wound Care and Healing?

A skilled nursing service usually provides the following:

• Wound care
• Emotional support
• Medication management 
• Nutritional guidance
• Assistance with self-care 

Family members may also play a role in monitoring their loved one’s condition during the early stages of recovery after they return home.

When Do Healthcare Providers Recommend Home Health Care?

Often, healthcare providers recommend home health care if you have a safe, comfortable home environment where you can recover in peace with support from a care team and loved ones.

Doctors may recommend home health care for seniors experiencing the following: 

• Surgery recovery 
• Complex or chronic medical conditions 
• Difficulty leaving the home
• Increased risk of fall injuries
• A need for skilled support (e.g., physical therapy, nursing care, etc.)

Doctors generally recommend home health care services for older adults who are homebound, injured, sick, living with disabilities, or experiencing other challenges.

Managing Medications and Follow-Up Care

How Does Medication Management Support a Safe Recovery?

Most people in recovery have one or more prescribed medications to support their recovery, and medication management reduces the risk of an accidental overdose, missed doses, or using the medication in any way other than as recommended. 

Medication reminders are critical for post-surgical care. Some people recovering from surgery may experience anxiety, exhaustion, difficulty focusing, and other side effects as their body heals. Medication reminders ensure all medications are taken as prescribed.

What Role Do Follow-Up Appointments Play in Rehab and Healing?

Follow-up appointments ensure you stay on track with your recovery goals. 

Monitoring health and recovery progress reduces the risk of complications and enables doctors and other medical professionals to adjust treatment as needed to meet clients’ evolving needs. Family members and caregivers provide transportation and reminders for follow-up appointments to ensure older adults stay on track with their recovery.

Physical Therapy and Mobility Support

When Is Physical Therapy Needed After Surgery?

Surgery may limit motion or strength, and physical therapy can help rebuild stamina, muscle strength, and mobility. 

A physical therapist improves your strength and mobility by doing the following: 

• Giving you realistic recovery goals
• Providing emotional support, encouragement, and accountability 
• Teaching practical ways to navigate around limitations 
• Using therapies and exercises to rebuild your strength 

Physical therapists also teach family caregivers about safe movement after surgery to create a safer home environment. Most people only need a few weeks of physical therapy. However, more significant surgeries, such as knee or hip replacements, may require more sessions to ensure ease of movement.

Helping With Household Tasks and Meal Preparation

What Daily Tasks Become Difficult for Loved Ones After Surgery?

Many tasks of daily living can be challenging for people recovering from surgery, including preparing meals, moving around the house, maintaining hygiene, and performing self-care. 

Families benefit from additional in-home care services. After surgery, the early stages of healing often significantly impair people’s ability to perform daily tasks and move freely. Caregivers or skilled nurses assist with personal hygiene, general care, and pain management.

The ability to heal at home, in a familiar and comfortable environment, can speed recovery and improve mental health for older adults.

How Does Help With Meal Preparation Improve Healing?

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers home-delivered meals to support healing and proper nutrition for people healing from surgery. 

Most people recovering from surgery have dietary restrictions. Caregivers and family members can tailor home-delivered meals to adhere to those nutritional guidelines that ensure older adults heal. Prepared meals also make it easier to practice portion control, reducing the risk of over- or under-eating.

Emotional Support and Family Involvement

Why Is Emotional Support Crucial During Recovery?

Mental and physical health directly impact one another, and emotional support is crucial for long-term recovery. 

Family members can help loved ones feel safe and encouraged by being present and offering practical support. Older adults may feel isolated, lonely, helpless, depressed, or anxious during recovery. Family members can keep them informed about family events and news, keeping them involved and supported.

What Signs Show That a Loved One Needs More Support?

Some of the signs that a loved one may need more emotional support include: 

• Periods of depression, anxiety, or sadness 
• Feeling isolated or lonely
• Experiencing medical complications 

If your loved one struggles with mental health issues during recovery, you can consult with a therapist or their primary care doctor to determine the best approach to addressing them. Setting up home care as soon as you notice a need for it can help your loved one avoid potential injury.

Working With a Home Care Agency

How Do Home Care Agencies Assess Post-Surgery Care Needs?

Home care agencies consult with families, clients, and their medical teams as needed to develop a tailored care plan and assess post-surgery needs.

Some of the types of in-home care services available to people healing from surgery include: 

• Skilled nursing care
• Housekeeping support
• Home caregivers
• Family caregivers 

Families frequently choose to use a home health agency over assisted living if their loved one has full or partial mobility and a short recovery time. With client approval, caregivers can coordinate with the client’s primary care doctor or other members of their medical team to ensure the best post-operative care.

Understanding Insurance, Medicare, and Long-Term Care Options

Which Post-Surgical Care Services Are Covered by Medicare?

Post-surgical care needs and insurance coverage will vary depending on multiple factors. 

Medicare may cover the following post-surgical care: 

• Skilled home nursing care
• Physical and occupational therapy 
• Additional support for specific types of surgery 

Home health care agencies can help families determine whether their loved one’s insurance covers home health aides and assess eligibility. Agencies will also guide families through the process of determining if long-term or short-term care options will provide the best recovery outcomes.

How LifeSpring Home Nutrition Supports Post-Surgery Recovery

How Does LifeSpring Make Meal Preparation Easier During Recovery?

LifeSpring Home Nutrition supports surgery recovery by offering convenient, nutritionally rich meals. 

Older adults may have a harder time getting enough nutrients in their meals to support wound recovery. According to JPRAS Open, “Personalized nutritional plans are essential in surgical care, particularly for enhanced recovery after surgery protocols.” In addition, “Wound healing is an energy-intensive process, requiring an array of macronutrients and micronutrients.”

LifeSpring Home Nutrition makes it easy for people to manage and adjust their diet as they move through the healing process. The meal catalogue includes comfort foods, ethnic favorites, and meals for halal or kosher diets.

Why Are Nutritious Frozen Meals Helpful After Surgery?

The flash-freezing process used by LifeSpring Home Nutrition preserves the nutrients in all healthy ingredients. 

Diet plays an integral role in overall mental and physical wellness. LifeSpring Home Nutrition supports family caregivers providing in-home care for their loved ones by making meal preparation quick and convenient.

All ingredients are sourced from high-quality, ethical companies and flash-frozen to preserve nutrients, ensuring they contain the essential vitamins and minerals that promote wound healing.

FAQs About Caring for a Loved One at Home After Surgery

How much help does a loved one need after surgery?

Your loved one may benefit from medical or nonmedical at-home care to reduce the risk of recovery complications. 

The type of surgery affects the types of care a person may need during early and long-term recovery. More severe conditions may require a dedicated, specialized care team. Older adults who undergo minor surgeries may need only a few days or weeks of in-home assistance. Your loved one’s medical team will provide information on how to provide the best care after surgery.

Can home care services replace a short-term stay in assisted living?

Yes. In some cases, home care services can replace assisted living, allowing people to stay in their own home as they heal from the effects of surgery. 

Everyone has unique needs during recovery from surgery, depending on their preexisting conditions and responses to medications or other treatments. A clinical assessment can determine whether someone can receive medical care at home rather than spending several weeks or months in an assisted living facility.

What should families do if wound care becomes difficult to manage?

A skilled nurse can come to the home to provide medical support services during the recovery period after surgery, such as wound care or medication management. 

Some times when families may need skilled nursing services during post-operative care include: 

• If recovery complications make care more complex 
• In cases where people need medical monitoring of vital signs
• If families struggle to manage prescribed medication 

Some wounds may become infected or take longer to heal.

According to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, “Older adults are more likely to have chronic wounds than younger people, and the effect of chronic wounds on quality of life is particularly profound in this population.” In addition, “Older adults categorized as undernourished are at risk of developing [pressure ulcers] and other complex wounds.”

How can family caregivers prevent burnout during recovery support?

Respite home care services allow family caregivers to take time to focus on their own needs and responsibilities, reducing the risk of burnout. 

Family members reduce emotional and physical stress while caring for a loved one by having multiple people available to take turns providing care. Respite care allows you to take days off to focus on self-care and handle outside responsibilities, helping you avoid burnout.

In some cases, family members benefit from participating in therapy for a short period to help them manage stress during the recovery period.

Is meal preparation part of home care services after surgery?

Yes, most home care services include meal preparation and clean up. 

Pain, discomfort, limited mobility, and medication side effects may interfere with a person’s ability to prepare meals during the recovery period after surgery. Caregivers can use convenient services like LifeSpring Home Nutrition to efficiently and easily create a balanced meal plan that supports overall health.

Older adults are more likely to need surgeries that significantly limit their mobility and necessitate home health care. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers home-delivered meals to support recovery after surgery. To learn more about our meal plans and service areas, call our office today at (800) 798-5767.