Home Health Care After Knee Replacement Surgery
Posted on: 6 August 2015
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If you or a loved one is having knee replacement surgery, you may want to consider having home health care. The first few days at home can be quite difficult following knee replacement surgery. Even if the patient has a family member or friend with them, they will benefit from the services of a professional too.
What to Expect After Surgery
After knee replacement surgery, the patient is going to be sore. Pain is inevitable; however, the level of pain will vary from person to person.
The hospital requires the patient perform certain tasks such as use the restroom on their own prior to discharge. This doesn't mean they are ready to go home and tackle life on their own. The patient will probably need help moving from one place to another, sitting down, standing up, and getting into bed. Assistance will be necessary for at least a few days, maybe longer.
The hospital will give specific care instructions that will need to be followed. These instructions may include:
- Exercises
- Wound care
- Medications to be taken
- Supplements
- When to resume driving
- When to resume physical activities
- When to return to work
This can be a difficult time emotionally for someone who is used to being independent. They may need encouragement and reminders that it's only temporary.
How Home Health Care can Help
Home health care services are available for many levels of care. Some patients that are alone may want 24-hour care for a few days. People who have family or friends staying with them may want a professional to stop by daily or only a few times a week. This can be discussed and determined with your doctor and insurance company.
Home health care professionals range from certified nursing assistant to a registered nurse. Some of the services they can provide include:
Bathing – Bathing while trying to keep an incision site dry can be difficult. For those that can shower, getting in and out of the shower may require assistance.
Medications – A home health care professional can help monitor medications to be sure the patient is taking them as prescribed.
Wound Care – Many patients don't like to care for their wounds. Home health care professionals are trained on how to properly clean and bandage surgical wounds. They also know how to check for and spot any signs of infection.
Exercises – The doctor will have prescribed exercises and home health care providers can help with them. If the patient is in physical therapy, their care provider can help them with their home exercises.
Light Housework – Some home health care services offer light housework. They may sweep floors, make beds, and some even do light cooking.
These are just a few things a post knee replacement patient can expect from home health services. If you or a loved one are preparing for surgery, you may want to be ahead of the game and contact a local home health care provider to find out what they can do for you. For more information about home health services, contact a company like Neighbors Home Care Services.