Supporting Senior Healing After Surgery
Post-hospital care helps seniors safely recover from surgery.
Surgery can be a significant life event that requires careful recovery and rehabilitation at any age. However, seniors may find this procedure significantly more challenging, as they often require specialized post-hospital care to ensure a quick recovery and minimize complications.
While some seniors may transition to a skilled nursing facility while they recover, many more are heading back home. This choice is great on one hand, as it allows them to heal in a comfortable environment.
On the other hand, ensuring seniors get the post-hospital care services they need requires a collaborative effort between loved ones, the medical team, and home care.
The Importance of Post-Hospital Care for Seniors
Following hospital discharge, seniors often need continued support to fully recover from surgery. This phase of recovery, sometimes known as post-hospital care, focuses on managing medications, preventing infections, rehabilitation, and managing any possible complications. With the right care plan in place, it can benefit seniors in the following ways:
Professional Monitoring and Support
Many times, skilled nursing provides post-hospital care. Their skills make vital sign monitoring, wound healing assessment, and medication management possible. This close observation helps prevent complications and detect issues early. It can also help ensure seniors aren’t readmitted.
Rehabilitation Services
After surgery, seniors may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy to regain strength, mobility, and independence. These therapies are commonly provided as part of post-hospital care to support recovery.
Medication Management
Many seniors frequently take a variety of medications, and after surgery, this mix of drugs may become more complex. As mentioned above, medication management is essential in these cases to ensure that prescriptions are taken as directed, on schedule, and without any negative interactions.
Preventing Infections and Complications
Seniors are more vulnerable to infections and complications in general, and after surgery, this risk can rise. Some of the primary goals of post-hospital care include wound care, infection control measures, and monitoring for any signs of complications.
Components of Effective Post-Hospital Care
While every situation—and senior—differs, there are still some common components the post-hospital care plan should include to promote the best possible recovery, including the following:
Customized Care Plans
Every senior has unique needs when it comes to healing. Personalized care plans, created in collaboration with medical professionals, home care, and the senior’s family, include goals and interventions tailored to their condition.
Home Health Services
For seniors, in-home rehabilitation is frequently more comfortable than a protracted hospital stay. As mentioned, these services might include skilled nursing, rehabilitative services, and more.
Nutritional Support
Eating well is necessary for healing. A common component of post-hospital care is nutritional assessment and counseling to ensure that seniors are eating healthily to support recovery and overall well-being.
Support for Mental and Emotional Health
Recovering from surgery can be a stressful and emotionally taxing process. In order to address emotional needs and promote mental health, post-hospital care may include counseling or other forms of support services.
Proper post-hospital care can significantly improve seniors’ ability to successfully recover after surgery and enjoy their independence once more. By focusing on the aspects above and working with a strong home care team, loved ones can ensure seniors have exactly what they need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Post-Hospital Care in Buffalo Grove, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.nursenextdoor.com/blog/how-to-plan-for-seniors-to-recover-at-home-after-surgery/
- https://anitasangels.com/post-surgery-care-for-seniors/
- https://www.homecareassistancedesmoines.com/how-to-help-aging-adults-at-home-following-surgery/
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