Post-surgery Companion Care Can Help Patients Heal
About one million major surgeries occur in individuals 65 and older each year, including a significant number near the end of life, according to recent data. While many US hospitals do a superb job of performing surgery, it's critical that recovering patients and their caregivers be watchful in the weeks after a surgical procedure. As hospitals find themselves ever more budget-conscious and short-staffed, patients are sometimes sent home quite quickly.
It's important to know that, according to recent research, 20 percent of seniors on Medicare are hospitalized again within 30 days of discharge after surgery. Many readmissions occur within 7 -14 days. The role of a compassionate in-home companion from Visiting Angels of North Central Indiana can make all the difference in securing an optimal recovery. Using our commitment to personal planning for individual seniors, we serve families in Lafayette, Kokomo, Frankfort, Tipton, Crawfordsville, Rushville, Greentown, Cicero Arcadia, and Sheridan.
Your Visiting Angels caretaker is prepared to walk beside you as you navigate your post-surgical journey. Most likely, you'll remain in the hospital for a couple of nights. Your caretaking recovery blueprint will be specifically created for you, using your hospital discharge plan as a guide. A Visiting Angel can connect with you at the hospital before reviewing your discharge directions with a medical care team.
Our “Ready Set Go Home” plan offers you and your family members the peace of mind that creates a favorable environment for recovery and helps prevent hospital readmission. It's a transitional program that offers nonmedical support to help individuals safely and comfortably go back to their homes after hospitalization. It is designed to lessen the likelihood of preventable events or accidents at home that could cause a return hospital visit—and even the need for emergency department services.
Ready, Set, GoHome includes assistance with the following:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Mobility and transfers
- Personal grooming
- Toileting.
Personal caregivers offer help with other tasks, also, such as:
- Errands
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders.
Depending on the individual, here are some of the challenges you may encounter, as well as information about how your caregivers can help ensure your safety and well-being.
- Post-surgery, many patients require physical therapy. If so, your therapist will send you home from a visit with a set of exercises to do after, say, a hip or knee replacement or a broken wrist. A caregiver can escort you to your appointments and work with you to complete the exercise regimen. (It's helpful to have a partner, especially when you're just starting.
- Monitoring your well-being post-hospital stay is essential, and a caregiver can help you stay on the right track. They can check to ensure you're getting enough water (super important for healing) and adequate nutrition. For example, there are edibles and beverages to avoid, such as alcohol, processed food, caffeine, and foods that are high in sugar.
- Your caregiver can track your status and help ensure that any changes in your condition are reported to your doctor and their staff if you begin to feel poorly.
- The most common post-surgical problem patients encounter is a localized infection at the incision site; your caregiver can check the status of your surgical scar or help arrange for an appropriate professional to do so.
- One of the most often-seen mistakes patients make is doing too much too soon. Healing requires time and patience. The services of an in-home companion are a great way to avoid that error; they can help you or a loved one stay busy and content with quiet, restful activities.
Visiting Angels of North Central Indiana can provide in-home care services whether you’re seeking post-surgical companionship for yourself or a loved one‚ or for another type of care. Call us at (765) 670-6260 for more information.