How To Help A Loved One Who Is Having A Hip Replacement

A hip replacement is a major operation. Most procedures are ultimately very effective, allowing the patient to walk again with far less pain than they were previously experiencing. However, the process s tough. Preparation can be demanding, and recovery is pretty intense. If someone you love is about to have a hip replacement, here are some things you can do to help them out.

Set up an area with everything they need.

When your loved one first comes home, they will be mostly confined to bed. If they are older and less mobile in general, they may even be put in a hospital bed. You can help them out by making sure that everything they immediately need after surgery is in that area. Set up a television, and make sure that it has the channels or streaming apps that they will want to watch. Put a mini-fridge in the room with drinks and healthy snacks. Set some pain relievers and other basic essentials on a table. 

Be there for the pre- and post-operative consultation.

If possible, you should make plans to be present when the doctors hold the pre-operative and post-operative consultations with your loved one. Your loved one is probably in a lot of pain, and they will certainly be in pain after their surgery, which means they may not fully hear and understand any instructions they are given. You can help by being a second set of ears and taking notes.

Help them with the post-operation exercise and physical therapy.

After their hip replacement, your loved one will need plenty of physical therapy. Usually, a physical therapist will come to the home initially—or sometimes even throughout the whole recovery process. While you do not need to be there for your loved one's appointments, it will be helpful if you are able to be. You can reassure them when the exercises get challenging, make note of the exercises they need to dohelp them do those exercises later, and so forth.

Remind them of precautions.

After a hip replacement, it is very important that patients take things slowly and ease their way back into increased activity. Especially if the patient is younger and very motivated, they may push themselves too hard. You can help by gently reminding them of their limitations and of doctors' orders to take things slowly.

Hip replacement surgery is a major operation, and you can provide the support your loved one needs by following these tips.