A hip replacement surgery can be a life-changing experience for your elderly loved one. This procedure can give a senior who has been suffering pain, stiffness, and lack of mobility another chance for an active and fulfilling lifestyle while also helping them to stay safer as they age in place. As a family caregiver it is extremely important that you focus on giving them the help that they need to get through their recovery period and into the new chapter of their life. While many of the care tasks that you will perform during this time will be physical, including offering physical assistance and helping them to take care of their home, one of the most important things that you will do is offer emotional support.
Undergoing a hip replacement surgery can have a tremendous emotional impact on your loved one. They might suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, and even thoughts of their mortality as they go through this recovery. This can put a strain on their mental and emotional health and diminishing their quality of life. Helping them to cope with this emotional impact can improve their perspective and help them to enjoy the benefits of the procedure as much as possible.
Some of the ways that you can help your parent cope with the emotional impact of hip replacement surgery include:
• Talk to them about it. Be upfront and honest with your parent. Talk to them about what they are going through and encourage them to be honest with you about their emotions. Just letting them know that you are there for them can help to ease their mind and make them feel more comfortable and confident
• Encourage them. There are likely to be times when your parent does not believe in themselves or feels that they are not able to do what they should be doing to get through their recovery. These are the times when you will need to be there for them and encourage them to keep going. Tell them that you believe in them and their ability to handle the challenges
• Do not push them. You want to encourage them, but you do not want to push your parent. Being too pushy or forceful can frustrate them and work to the opposite result that you desire. Be willing to encourage and support, but do not be negative or aggressive with them
• Help them recognize the benefits. Things are different for your parent now than they were when they were younger. Their body is not as strong as it once was and getting a hip replacement will mean that they do not have the same level of functioning. This does not mean, however, that they cannot enjoy an active, fulfilling quality of life. Help them to see these benefits and find new meaning in their life.
Starting elder care can be one of the best decisions that you can make throughout your caregiver journey with your aging loved one. This is particularly true if your senior suffers from serious limitations or challenges, or is preparing to undergo or has recently undergone a serious medical procedure such as a hip replacement. An elderly home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule to ensure that they get all of the care, support, and assistance that they need, when they need it. This also ensures that you are still able to give them the care that you are able to and maintain the schedule that is best for both of you. Through a highly personalized set of services, this care provider can help your parent through the challenges of recovery, prepare for future challenges, and make the most of this new chapter in their lives. When it comes to getting through the recovery phase, this can include providing physical support and assistance, taking care of tasks throughout the home so that your parent does not have to, and providing reminders and encouragement to keep them compliant with their medications and treatments.
Source
http://www.prevention.com/health/hip-replacement
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hip-replacement/details/how-you-prepare/ppc-20313793
http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/hip-replacement-surgery#1
If you or an aging parent are considering in-home elder care in Sun City Grand, AZ, please call the caring staff at Assisting Hands Home Care. Serving North Phoenix, Glendale And Surrounding Areas. Call Us 602-362-6610.