3 Post-Surgery Recovery Tips for the Elderly
Recovering from surgery can be difficult for anyone, especially the elderly. They should undergo proper post-surgery recovery treatment to speed up their healing process and help them go back to doing their daily activities. Although there are many ways for them to improve their health, appropriate facilitation and healthcare assistance will greatly quicken their recovery status. Continue reading for some post-recovery tips that can help you promote faster healing in the elderly.
- Create a Care Plan Using Healthcare Specialists’ Instructions.
Medical practitioners always give an after-surgery care plan to patients and their caregivers. This is to ensure that the required medicine intake and post-op treatment are met and they easily recover after the surgery.
Usually, a care plan includes follow-up checkup appointments, a medication intake schedule, and things that may indicate the risk of complications. The caregiver must take note of these things and apply them to the patient’s post-discharge routine.
- Don’t Miss Any Follow-Up Checkups.
Some seniors insist that they don’t need to go to follow-up appointments after feeling better weeks after the surgery. This typically doesn’t agree with the healthcare professionals’ assessment of the patient’s healing process. Aside from wanting to check on the incisions, they also need to know the progress of the patient’s post-surgery recovery. Therefore, skipping the post-op checkup will not be beneficial to the patient’s overall recovery.
If you’re the one who takes care of your senior loved one, let them know how crucial attending checkups is. Also, tell them the things they can do when they are fully healed from the incision and surgery. Helping them boost their drive for a faster recovery can motivate them to go to their checkups and listen to what the specialists say.
- Be Wary of Infection.
Seniors who have had surgery are at a higher risk of infection because their immune systems are already compromised by their age. This is why the care team of an elderly person should be especially careful when cleaning their stitches and incisions.
Incisions rarely show surgical site infections; thus, this usually occurs after a month post-op. Because of this, it is critical to wash your hands before touching the incision to avoid infection. Inspecting incisions is part of the post-surgery treatment. The color of the wound indicates how the healing progresses, whether positively or negatively.
Call the Healthcare Professionals at Princeton Health Care Center
Given the risks involved, elderly patients who have undergone surgery should receive comprehensive medical care to ensure a successful recovery. If your loved one needs more care after an operation than can be provided for them at home, get in touch with us at Princeton Health Care Center. We provide a multitude of services for our residents and can ensure they are transported to follow-up appointments. We accept residents who need long-term placement as well as admissions for short-term rehabilitation, such as when someone just needs a few weeks of care before returning home after surgery. Call to schedule a tour and learn more!