Recovering from surgery is more than just healing and a process that will take time, patience, and requires the right support system. After a patient has spent time in the hospital, the real work begins. Adapting to regular life at home while the body is healing safely. This is where post-surgery home care comes into play.

Effective home care following discharge from a hospital can prevent many complications. It decreases the chances that you’ll end up back in the hospital, and make your recovery faster! Whether it’s home care for a loved one post-surgery after a knee replacement, or after hospital care for the senior who just underwent heart surgery, having a structured plan can help them recover faster.

Family members are the backbone of post-hospital care at home. They help them with medications, meal prep, healthy mobility, and emotional support, while ensuring that their loved one is following the doctor’s recovery process. With expert support from providers like CDHCI, families can access reliable post-hospital care at home and professional guidance to ensure a safe, comfortable recovery after surgery.

This blog will cover everything you need to know about home care after surgery, from getting your environment ready to knowing what professional care options you have. Let’s explore in detail!

What is Post Surgery Home Care?

Home care after surgery is a specific type of post hospital care that will enable your loved one to recover at home in a safe and comfortable way. This form of care provides an important transition from hospital treatment to independent functioning. 

The objective of care is to minimize the disruption of the surgery while supporting the person to heal safely, and comfortably. 

However, recovery rarely proceeds so smoothly as anticipated. Patients will experience many challenges like pain, moving their body, fatigue, and managing their medications are some of the most common difficulties. Small issues quickly can escalate into significant problems, and if home care is inadequate, recovery is delayed. 

There are multiple levels of home care based on the type of surgery. For example, 

• Orthopedic surgeries such as knee or hip replacement surgery may require short term home care after surgery to assist with movement and physiotherapy. 
• Cardiac surgery may require careful monitoring of the vital signs and medications. 
• Abdominal surgery or general surgery may require wound care and nutritional support. 

As a result, the discharge instructions are made by the physician to provide parameters which minimize the risks associated with the surgery.

Getting the Home Ready for Recovery

The home should be safe, comfortable, and with a good environment. An organized home can make recovery less difficult. This is especially important when family members have to provide post-hospital care to their elderly relatives or aid someone returning home after surgery.

Provide a Safe and Comfortable Environment

A decluttered space minimizes the possibility of tripping or falling, and removing loose rugs makes movement easier. Arrange furniture in a manner that provides proper walking space. Ensure there is enough light in public areas, halls, or restrooms. Ideally, a recovery space should be on the main floor to reduce having to go up stairs. The recovery space should have:

• A comfortable bed or recliner to sit in.
• Easy access to water, tissues, and other medical supplies.
• A side table to store medications and a phone.

Sometimes small details become important aspects when caring for someone after surgery from the hospital. Making sure everything is located where it is handy and in reach helps reduce negative physical or mental stresses as well as helps create a comforting experience. 

Essential Supplies and Equipment

Recovery at home often involves the use of various supplies and medical equipment that helps the patient regain their independence safely. You will find the following items to be useful during your recovery:

• Mobility aids like walker, cane, grab bars in bathroom and shower.
• Wound care supplies such as sterile bandages, antiseptics, gloves to change the bandage.
• Medication organizers like pill boxes, reminder apps on your phone, and charts.

Hence, by ensuring you have the right tools, you are less likely to experience a lapse in effective and supportive post-hospital care on behalf of your loved one. 

Nutrition and Hydration Preparation

Healing bodies need nutrition. In accordance with your doctor’s guidance, if appropriate, you will want to prepare nutritious meals that are easy to digest. For example, some patients may require low-sodium or high-protein diets. Healthy snacks and water on hand promote hydration and energy throughout the day. 

What is a Family’s Role in Recovery?

Family members are central to the healing process. When your loved one comes home from the hospital after surgery, your presence and support can go a long way. Caring for someone at home after the hospital is not only about medications and follow-ups. It’s about providing your loved one with an overall sense of comfort, safety, and encouragement.

Physical Support

Care after surgery can often involve physical limitations. The loved one may be in need of physical assistance in areas of daily living like:

• Mobility and Movement: You may support your loved one in getting up and down and walking. Help support them gently as they walk, sit or stand. Use mobility aids, such as a walker or cane, as indicated.
• Hygiene: The family can help with bathing, dressing, or grooming while allowing the patient to maintain their hygiene.
• Wound Care: Follow the instructions provided by the health care provider when caring for the wound. Thus, caring properly at home can decrease the risk of infection and other complications.

Additionally, be aware of warning signs that indicate your loved one may need medical attention.

Emotional support

Recovery is not only physical but also emotional. Many patients feel discouraged, anxious, or depressed during recovery. As a caregiver, you have two significant tools to your advantage like empathy and patience. The following tips can yield a big impact:

• Provide encouragement and reassurance when it seems like progress is taking longer than expected.
• Engage in enjoyable activities together to reduce negative feelings of loneliness.
• Celebrate small victories in recovery such as walking without assistance, finishing a meal, sleeping well.

Hence, creating a calm and positive environment can assist in restoring confidence and motivation.

Interacting with Healthcare Providers

Having strong communication with doctors and nurses is essential for safe, and effective home care. The family should maintain an up-to-date list of medications, dosage, and follow-up appointments. To aid with organization:

• Keep track of medications, and doctor instructions in a care notebook or a calendar app if preferable.
• Attend the multiple follow-up appointments to assist in monitoring recovery.
• Any ongoing pain, fever, or abnormal symptoms should never be overlooked.

As a result, if home care is short term after surgery, remain in touch regularly with the post-operative caregivers or visiting nurse. 

Professional Options for Home Care Assistance

Professional in-home care services for after surgery can help fill some gaps and provide specialized care and medical needs your loved one requires at home.

Different Types of Home Care Services

There are several levels of home care services that the patient may benefit from depending on their individual needs: 

Skilled Nursing Care: Licensed nurses provide medical treatment services like wound care, medication management, and monitoring for vital signs. This service is best utilized for patients requiring medical treatment and care after serious surgery.

Personal Care Aide: Trained caregivers assist the patient with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. This much-needed post-hospital care at home ensures that patients receive proper support.

Physical or Occupational Therapy: Therapists come to the home to work with the patient to improve their strength, mobility, and overall confidence. This is beneficial for the orthopedic patient after surgery or cardiac patient as it adapts their long term recovery goals.

Advantages of Hiring Professional Caregivers

Hiring professional caregivers will help relieve stress and burden, while assuring that an expert is attending to the patient’s needs. Some benefits includes:

Medically-sound & safe: Many professional caregivers administer a high level of care with accuracy, while minimizing the potential for complications.

Peace of mind for families: Knowing your loved one is given medical attention, enables the family to relax, continue to work, or fulfill other responsibilities. 

Individualized plans for recovery: Assuming the plan of care is sound, professional caregivers will gauge the approach based on the patient’s medical and emotional variables.

Better adherence to post-operative instructions: Many professional caregivers are trained to follow the post-operation instructions related to medications, wound care, and therapy exercises.

Hence, having assistance will make post-hospital care for the elderly much more manageable. Even if they cannot assist the elderly physically, having professional clinicians involved will help balance familial duties and professional duties.

How to Select the Suitable Home Care Provider?

It is important to select specialists or caregivers agencies to ensure quality home care after surgery. Some of them includes:

• Credentials and Experience: You should always check licenses, training and check background. On top of that, also look for a caregiver with experience in home care after surgery or experience in pre-and post-operative care in Edmonton, where you might be located.
• Reputation and References: Ask for testimonials from clients and check their reviews. A good provider will be open and communicative.
• Compatibility: You want to ensure that the caregiver personally matches your loved one’s comfort level. Compassionate, professional, and other behavioral skills are as important as practical skills. 

If you do not know how to get home care after someone undergoes surgery, consult the hospital discharge planner or social worker who may provide some trusted recommendations for local post-hospital care home care whether for short or long-term care.

Conclusion

The recovery process from surgery is challenging. It begins when a patient is discharged from the hospital, and it does not end when they leave the hospital. Families can help their loved ones regain strength and confidence by participating in post-surgical care. 

Engaging in post-surgical care can happen both in the home environment and under the guidance of a hired post-operative caregiver. An important part of the process of recovering from surgery, is understanding caring for another through this process is a team effort, infused with patience, and compassion for the one you love. Families are an important aspect of healing and recovering in a healthy environment.

If you feel you need help after the surgery, temporary home care after surgery or short term home care can offer professional resources to recover. To recover more safely and quickly, home care is worth considering, especially after a hospitalization for older adults.

The aim of post-hospital home care is to promote independence, quality of life, and comfort. By creating thoughtful planning with open communication and the balance of professional care and familial care, one can have a positive and rewarding experience with recovery.

FAQs

1. How long do you stay in the hospital post-operation?

It varies considerably from one surgery to another. Some will be discharged that same day, while others will stay in hospital for two or three days, such as major repairs to the body. Once discharged and medically stable, the patient will continue to recover at home or through post-surgical care. 

2. Is home care covered by Alberta health?

Yes, home health care services for individuals following hospital discharge are covered by Alberta Health. It includes therapy services, personal care services, and more.

3. What are the five P’s of post-operative care? 

The five P’s include pain, pulse, pallor, paresthesia, and paralysis. All five P’s help identify important information about circulation and nerve circulation that can be monitored in home and bed progression, following your surgery.

4. What is aftercare after hospital?

Aftercare after hospital means all services that support you at home, such as wound care, medication, or therapies that are performed via post-hospital or immediate post-surgical care at home.

5. How long does it take to regain strength after a hospital stay? 

The time frame for regaining strength after discharge varies from patient to patient. Most recover from a few weeks to a few months post-surgery, depending on the type of surgery and age. Regular home care and rest are the key elements in regaining your strength in the weeks or months following surgery.