Surgical advancements in hip replacement are helping seniors lead a better quality of life after years of experiencing pain from nagging arthritis, injury, or other orthopedic conditions. While outcomes have improved, patients still need specialized care during hip replacement rehabilitation. Successful recovery at home requires planning, dedication, persistence, and patience—as well as emotional and physical support from others.

Professional home care from Visiting Angels can play a major role in assisting seniors during the recovery process—and a return to normal life.

How Can Visiting Angels Support Seniors After Hip Replacement?

Visiting Angels offers a program called Ready, Set, Go Home, which is designed to help seniors return home safely after hospitalization and minimize the risk of readmission. The program provides assistance with discharge planning and care coordination to ensure a seamless transition to the comforts of home.

A Visiting Angels’ care coordinator will schedule a free home care consultation. During the consultation, the care coordinator will discuss the following non-medical services from Visiting Angels:

• Mobility assistance and transfers
  After a hip replacement, seniors may need help moving around their home — including navigating small spaces and stairs and avoiding tripping hazards. Visiting Angels’ Fall Prevention Program helps prevent slips, trips, and falls, which are critical to avoid after hip surgery. 

• Appointment reminders
  Hip replacement patients will have follow-up appointments with their surgeon and may need physical therapy. A Visiting Angels’ caregiver can keep track of appointments and provide or arrange for transportation as needed.

• Nutrition and hydration monitoring
  Seniors may have dietary requirements as they recover from hip replacement. A Visiting Angels’ caregiver can ensure they receive proper nutrition and hydration as they heal.

• Doctor instruction reminders
  Although Visiting Angels cannot provide medical care, they can help your loved one follow a doctor’s orders by reminding them to take medications, stay mobile, and perform physical therapy exercises.

• Comfort care
  A professional caregiver can prepare ice packs and heating pads, use pillows to prop your loved one up, make a favorite meal or snack, play a game, or engage in pleasant conversation. The goal is to ensure your loved one remains as comfortable and engaged as possible during recovery.

• Light housekeeping and meal preparation
  Following surgery, seniors may feel more tired or have mobility concerns that make it tough to clean, carry a laundry basket, shop for groceries, or prepare meals. A Visiting Angels’ caregiver can assist with these tasks until your senior is back on their feet — and provide a break for your loved one’s spouse or family members who may be helping out with extra chores.

• Monitor for problems or concerns
  Visiting Angels’ caregivers can provide non-medical, personal care support when home health professionals or family members can’t. An in-home personal caregiver can also watch over your loved one and report any concerning post-surgical problems such as increased pain, swelling, numbness, redness, drainage, fever, or difficulty moving around.

Although some seniors may require temporary assistance after hip replacement, others choose to continue receiving personal care support after recovery is complete. Whatever your loved one’s situation is, our care coordinators can help you create a home care plan and find a caregiver that meets their needs.