Surgery is tough at any age. It slows you down and the recovery can induce anxiety and make even the most basic tasks more challenging. Unfortunately, these problems are only amplified at an advanced age.
If your aging loved one is going through surgery, having after-surgery home care throughout their recovery can have a positive impact on their healing process.
The role of a caregiver after surgery is essential. Due to the emotional and physical strain that surgery plays in old age, constant supervision and care are often required for the elderly following a procedure. Not only will it ensure their safety, but it will give them peace of mind and confidence throughout the entire process.
So how should a caregiver prepare for taking care of a loved one after surgery?
Close Monitoring
A key responsibility of a caregiver at any time is to keep a safe eye on your loved one. But following surgery, that responsibility takes an even more important role.
Your loved one may not be their usual self following a surgical operation. Accidents can happen due to their weakened state, so it’s crucial to provide them with constant supervision.
A watchful eye over your loved one also provides them with a great deal of comfort. Knowing that someone is always right by their side goes a long way in reducing anxiety and stress during post-surgery recovery. And a relaxed state helps the body heal faster, while stress only prolongs the entire recovery process.
Assistance with Daily Activities
The body needs more time to heal as it ages and a lot of daily activities can interrupt that process.
The caregiver is there throughout the surgery recovery to assist with daily activities so your loved one can focus on healing and relaxing. This may be escorting your loved one to follow-up appointments, running errands, household chores, cooking, dressing, bathing, and whatever else they may need help with to get through the day.
With in-home care, your loved one will be able to remain independent in their own home while receiving professional and individual care throughout their surgery recovery. Being able to recover in their own home will go a long way in keeping them comfortable through an otherwise uncomfortable process.
Medication Reminders
Whether it’s pain relievers or antibiotics, doctors almost always prescribe something after surgery. Especially with antibiotics, it’s important that you take your medication consistently and finish the recommended prescription.
But it can be easy to forget when your loved one is in the post-surgery haze. Having someone by your loved one’s side that keeps them on track with all the medications needed to heal their body will provide them with comfort and safety. They’ll also be able to relax knowing that part of their surgery recovery is taken care of by a professional.
Social Companionship
One of the most important, and underrated, roles a caregiver plays in surgery recovery is a social companion.
It’s easy to feel down during surgery recovery. Your loved one may not have the strength yet to go out and do the things that help them maintain a happy and healthy life. It can also be easy for them to isolate themselves from others as they feel they’re not able to participate in a lifestyle that they’ve grown accustomed to.
Having a social and empathetic companion by their side will elevate their mood. It’s likely they’ll have to rest in their home for a while, so it’s best they have some social interaction to make the day easier and more meaningful.
Finding The Right Companion Care
The best type of in-home care suited for surgery recovery is companion care.
Companion care entails:
- Social companionship
- Shopping and errands
- Escort to doctor appointments
- Hospital/facility sitting
- Assistance with outpatient and follow-up care
Finding the perfect companion for your loved one can be tough. At Golden Care, we take care of that for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and we’ll match you with a professional and empathetic caregiver that is best suited for you and your loved one’s needs.
