How to Help a Family Member Recover from Surgery - Celestial Care
A daughter cares for her mother after surgery

How to Help a Family Member Recover from Surgery

Going through surgery can be incredibly difficult and the recovery process often takes weeks or months. Providing emotional and physical support to your loved ones can be tough as they may come home in pain and with reduced mobility. Being prepared in advance of the surgery is key to managing the recovery process, since it is one less thing to think about post-surgery. Here are some helpful tips on how to support your family members after surgery for a smooth recovery.

Listen carefully to discharge instructions

Prior to being discharged, the doctor will provide instructions on the recommended plan of care during recovery. If possible, ask the doctor a few days in advance what can be prepared at home to help with recovery. This will ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home, as you will have multiple days to prepare the home. Write down these instructions to ensure that they are not forgotten during this difficult time.

If additional medical care is required, hiring the right at-home care service is vital. The caregiver is not only there to provide medical care and a lending hand; they are also a companion and friendly face when your loved ones need it most. This process may take a few days to set up, therefore having all the arrangements made ahead of time will ensure that skilled care is available in the first few days they are home.

Prepare the Pantry

It may be difficult for your family member to move around for the first few days after returning home. They may be experiencing mobility issues, dizziness, or disorientation as side effects of their surgery. Having healthy meals prepared in advance, stored either in the freezer or pantry, will minimize the stress of having to decide what’s for dinner. It will also ensure that the body has nutritious meals to aid in healing. Make sure that the meals prepared are in line with any dietary restrictions recommended by the doctor.

Know the Risks

In addition to knowing the discharge information, you should ask the doctor for any signs and symptoms you can watch for that may indicate further medical needs. Doing too much too soon can result in overexertion, which can set back recovery time. Some of these signs may be difficult to identify, so having a trained caregiver who is familiar with identifying risks can provide a sense of comfort that your loved one is well taken care of.

Share the Burden

Caring for a family member can be very difficult to manage in addition to other responsibilities, such as work or children. In addition to physically supporting them through his tough time, your family members may rely heavily on you for emotional support. A professional caregiver can lend a helping hand with every day tasks, such as cooking, cleaning or driving to appointments. Sharing the burden will make the recovery process easier for all and ensure that your family member is getting the best quality of care during their healing process.