Are you or your loved one about to go in for hip surgery?
Safety Precautions for Avoiding Falls
Most hospitals falls occur the first few days after admission when people may be unsure of their surroundings. Here are some suggestions, which may help prevent falls during your hospitalization.
Get out of bed slowly; sit on the side of the bed to acclimate for a few minutes before standing up.
Wear non-skid slippers or shoes when walking, even if it’s just to the bathroom and back.
Guide book for Hips
Each year, more than 700,000 people make the decision to undergo joint replacement surgery. The surgery aims to relieve your pain, restore your independence, and return you to work or other activities.
Most patients will be able to walk the first day after surgery, and move towards normal activity six to twelve weeks.
Prepare your home for your return from the hospital.
Are you providing Senior Care to a senior in their home? If you are the loved one taking care of your senior mom or dad or whoever it might be, just remember that loved one needs to rely on your help and memory. If you’re senior mom or dad, or loved one is losing the ability to grasp and remember all those details.
It is important to have your house ready for your arrival back home. Put things that you use often (like a coffee pot) on a shelf or surface that is easy to reach. Some of these items would need to be handled before your upcoming scheduled surgery.
Check railings to make sure they are not lose.
Clean, do the laundry, and put it away.
Prepare meals and freeze them in single serving containers.
Pick up throw rugs and tack down loose carpeting.
Remove electrical cords and other obstructions from the walkways.
Install night lights in the bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways.
Install grab bars in the shower/bathtub. Put adhesive slip strips in the bottom of the tub.
Arrange to have someone collect your mail and take care of the pets.
After Hip Replacement Surgery your senior loved one still has a lot to do and will still need your help. Beside the things they themselves will need to do to help further along their recover process. You might need to take them out or do some shopping for them. Checks on their meals make sure they have been eating properly. Senior Care at home for a senior can be done with a well thought out plan.
Breathing Exercises
To prevent potential problems such as pneumonia, it is important to understand and practice breathing exercises. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises. Techniques such as deep breathing, coughing, and using an Incentive Spirometer may also help you recover more quickly.
Deep Breathing
To deep breath, you must use the muscles of your abdomen and chest.
Breath in through your nose as deep as you can.
Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds
Let your breath out slowly through your mouth. As you breathe out, do it slowly and completely. Breath out as if you were blowing out a candle (this is called “pursed lip breathing”). When you do this correctly, you should notice your stomach going in. Breath out for 10-20 seconds.
Take a break and then repeat the exercise 10 times.
Coughing
To help you cough:
Take a slow deep breath. Breathe in through your nose and concentrate on filling your lungs completely.
Breathe out through your mouth and concentrate on your chest emptying completely
Repeat with another breath in the same way.
Take another breath, but hold your breath and then cough hard. When you cough, focus on emptying your lungs.
Repeat all steps twice.
Understanding Pain
All patients have a right to have their pain managed. Pain can be chronic (lasting a long time) or intense (breakthrough). Pain can change through the recovery process.
Living with Joint replacement
Postoperative Care
Caring for you at home. Don’t feel bad if you have to ask for some assistance while you are recovering.
When you go home, there are a variety of things you need to know for your safety, your recovery and your comfort.
Be Comfortable
Follow your doctor’s orders, some of which could include things like these.
Take your pain medication at least 30 minutes before physical therapy.
Gradually wean yourself from prescription medication to a non-prescription pain reliever. You may take two extra strength Tylenol analgesic in place of your prescription medication up to four times per day.
Use ice for pain control. Applying ice to your affected joint will decrease discomfort. It is recommended for at least 30 minutes each hour. You can use it before and after your exercise program. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a kitchen towel works well because the bag will easily mold to the shape of your hip. Mark the bag of peas and return to the freezer so they can be used again later.
While you’re recovering, try not to nap during the day so that you will sleep better at night.
Body Changes
Your appetite may be poor. Drink plenty of fluids to keep from getting dehydrated. Your desire for solid food will return.
You may have difficulty sleeping, which is normal do not sleep or nap too much during the day.
Your energy level will be decreased for at least a month.
Pain medication that contains narcotics promotes constipation. Use stool softeners or laxatives, if necessary.