Senior Home Care Services Following Skilled Nursing Home Discharge
If your aging loved one has undergone major surgery such as a total hip replacement, then their physician may have recommended that they recover in a skilled nursing home. This is so that the individual can get in-patient physical therapy before they go home. In-patient physical therapy programs at skilled nursing homes typically last for a couple of months, however, after completion, the patient will experience less pain, increased mobility, and increased strength However, they may still be weak and it may take more time before they regain full strength in their lower extremities. A senior home care provider can assist your loved one in the following ways once they have been discharged from the skilled nursing home following their therapy program.
Wound Management
While the surgical wound from a total hip replacement typically heals in a couple of months, it can take longer, depending on the person's age, general state of health, and nutritional status. If your loved one's surgical wound has not fully healed, the senior home care provider can perform wound care. This includes cleaning the incision with sterile water or other solution as recommended by the orthopedic surgeon, applying antibiotic ointment to the incision, and covering the wound with a sterile dressing.
The caregiver will also monitor the wound for signs of infection such as increased redness and inflammation, draining, pain, and bleeding. If signs of infection are noticed, the senior home care provider will let you know and then notify the physician.
ADLs And Mobility Assistance
Your senior loved one may still be unsteady on their feet following discharge from the skilled nursing home following their in-patient therapy program. The senior home care provider can help them walk and provide stand-by assistance in case the individual feels woozy or weak. The home care services provider can also assist your loved one with their ADLs (activities of daily living).
ADLs include bathing, eating, dressing, and grooming, and depending on the individual's level of independence, the caregiver can provide supervision, minimal assistance, moderate assistance, or total assistance. It can longer for elderly people to recuperate from major surgery, however, proper care and support can greatly enhance their recovery.
If your elderly loved one recently had hip surgery or another surgical procedure and needs assistance during their recovery period, consider hiring a senior home care provider. Not only will they help your loved one with their physical needs, but they can also provide emotional support and companionship, which can further promote a speedier recovery.
Reach out to a senior home care service near you to learn more.
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