Seven Purchases to Make Before Shoulder Surgery
If your loved one has been struggling for years with shoulder pain and reduced mobility, her doctor might finally recommend shoulder surgery to give her back some of the mobility she needs as well as reduce the pain she feels when she does use her shoulder. It can seem a bit overwhelming to think about how your elderly loved one will manage recovery after surgery, especially if she lives on her own or far from family members, but there are steps you can take to help her recovery time before she even gets back home.
Shoulder Surgery Recovery
Depending on the type of shoulder surgery your loved one has, she might spend a day or two in the hospital or they might send her home on the same day. Knowing ahead of time can help you make sure everything is ready to go once she does return home for the remainder of her recovery. The doctors will want to make sure her pain is under control and that there are no complications before sending her home. She will not be able to drive, so make sure she has transportation for the ride home.
Seven Items to Have Ready for Her Shoulder Recovery
Once your loved one is home, she will be able to manage her recovery period better with some helpful items around the home.
- Meals. Your loved one will not be able to prepare healthy meals from scratch on her own for a bit. Having a plan for meals is important. You can have friends and family create dishes that can be frozen and then easily reheated (but remember, lifting a heavy glass dish from the oven may be too difficult). Individualized serving sizes are best for ease of use without straining her shoulder.
- Clothes can get in and out of. Getting dressed and undressed may be difficult for a bit. Make sure she has plenty of oversized shirts she can get in and out of. She might like a front-clasping bra that’ll make it easier to put on than one that clasps in the back.
- A Detachable Shower Head and Shower Chair. Showering might be easier if she can sit on a shower chair and use a hand-held shower head. A long-handled backwasher can also come into use.
- Medicine dispenser. Your loved one may come home with multiple medications. Having a pill dispenser can help her stay on track with taking her daily meds. If she needs medication more than once a day, help her schedule timers on her phone or clock to remind her when to take them, especially pain medications.
- A place to Sleep. Of course, your loved one has a bed, but it may not be the best place for her to sleep at first. A comfy couch or recliner may be better.
- Pillows a Plenty. Finding the right support as she sits or sleeps will come with trial and error. Plenty of pillows can help her find the right propping configuration.
- Maybe the most important item to line up now is some Senior Home Care Assistance. Having a senior home care provider visit to help with chores around the home or preparing meals can be a great service for your loved one. With a senior home care provider visiting regularly, she can let some things go and focus on her recovery instead of household chores.