How to Prepare Seniors for Hip Replacement Surgery

If your elderly parent is getting ready to undergo hip replacement surgery, it is important that they properly prepare themselves. This means both their mind and their body. Proper preparations will ensure that their body is strong enough to undergo the surgery and make the most of recovery so that they can glean the maximum benefit from the procedure.

4 Ways Seniors Can Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery

Some of the ways that your parent can prepare their body for hip replacement surgery include:

1. Medication Needs

During your parent’s initial evaluation for total hip replacement it is important that they tell the doctor about any medications or supplements that they are taking. There are some that they may need to stop taking or others that they may need to begin in order to get their body ready for the procedure.

2. Lose Weight

If your aging parent is particularly overweight, the doctor might recommend that they focus on losing some weight prior to the procedure. This is for several reasons. It tends to be more difficult to operate on people who are overweight, which increases the chances of complications. Being overweight also decreases mobility, which is essential for proper recovery. Excess weight also puts additional pressure and strain on the joints, which makes it more difficult for the body to get accustomed to the new joint and for the joint to heal. Ask the doctor how much weight they should lose and for recommendations for safe and healthy ways to accomplish this goal.

3. Complete Dental Work

If there is any dental work that your parent needs done, the doctor might recommend that your parent go ahead and get it done before the surgery. This is to prevent bacteria from moving from the mouth to the surgical site and possibly leading to a serious infection.

4. Give Blood

The doctor might recommend that your elderly parent give blood a few times in the months leading up to the procedure. This is so that they can collect and store the blood in the event that your parent needs it during their surgery.

Contact Sonas for Home Care Services in Florida

One of the best ways that you can help your parent prepare their body for their total hip replacement surgery is by hiring elderly care for them.

Having an elderly home care services provider in the home with them throughout their preparation period can mean that they get the emotional support and encouragement, as well as the physical assistance that they might need in order to make the most of their preparation time. This will help ensure that their body is at its best going into the surgery so that their recovery can be as quick, efficient, and effective as possible.

Starting elderly care prior to the surgery is also effective in helping your parent get accustomed to this care provider. Getting familiar with the care provider and the services that they provide will help your parent achieve greater comfort and peace of mind as they go into their procedure. When they come out, they will be more willing to allow this care provider to help them, making it less likely that they will push their body too far and possibly cause complications.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.