After Surgery Home Care

Undergoing surgery of any kind can take a major toll on one’s health, especially in older adults. That said, your aging loved one will certainly require help after their procedure. To determine what activities will require assistance, consider who will be responsible for certain after-surgery tasks by asking yourself the following questions:

• Who will transport my loved one to and from the initial appointment and any follow-up appointments?
• Will home modifications be necessary, such as installing elevated toilets, shower seats, or handrails?
• Who will refill and pick up prescriptions?
• Who will manage and administer medications?
• Will my loved one need help climb stairs or moving around the house?
• Will my loved one need assistance with dressing or undressing, bathing, or using the bathroom?
• Who will grocery shop, cook, and prepare meals?
• Who will provide companionship and entertainment while my loved one is recovering?
• Will my loved one need 24-hour care?

If you’re overwhelmed by the above tasks or unable to care for your loved one on your own, professional in-home care can help alleviate stress and lighten your workload.

Having in-home help can be a godsend for family caregivers. Once you’ve had a conversation with hospital staff and read through the discharge instructions, you should be able to determine what type of in-home care your loved one will need: Home Help or Home Health Care. 

Below is a breakdown of what these care types mean. Depending on the type or complexity of the surgery, your loved one may need a single type of care or a combination of both.

Hire a NaNaZWoRLD home helper professional if your loved one needs non-medical care. That means that their supportive after-surgery care won’t involve medical skills. While a home care helper aide cannot provide medical support, they may offer the following in-home services:

• Medication reminders
• Assistance with mobility
• Light household chores, such as laundry and meal preparation
• Transportation, including to grocery stores and medical appointments
• Personal care, including help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, and using the toilet
• Companion Care, which includes activities and socialization

Be specific about the services you need to ensure you get connected with the proper type of care professional, as some states and insurance policies make a strong distinction between personal care and companion care.

Also called clinical or skilled care, home health care is medical care provided by licensed professionals, such as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. Home health care is typically prescribed by a doctor to help with a senior’s short-term medical or nursing care as they recover from surgery. The services a home health professional provides can include the following:

• Assistance with medication administration
• Wound/incision care
• Monitoring of vital signs and medical equipment
• Expertise in certain health conditions

It’s important to note that there can sometimes be overlap with non-medical care depending on the senior’s care plan.