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Creating an Environment of Healing for Your Parent After Heart Surgery

Home Care in Loudonville OH

Heart surgery is a major event. While it is one of the most common procedures performed on older adults throughout the United States, with more than 500,000 coronary bypasses alone being performed each year, it is also major surgery that requires careful preparation and dedicated care to ensure that your seniors gets the most benefit. As their family caregiver, you will be responsible for overseeing this entire experience and ensuring that they are as prepared as possible for the challenges of recovery and for the “new normal” that they will have after the procedure. One way that you can do this is by establishing an environment of healing for when they return from the hospital after their procedure. Keep in mind that recovery from heart surgery can take months and in the first few days and weeks your senior will be at particular risk of issues such as infection and injury to the surgical site. This makes the environment into which they go home crucial to supporting their recovery efforts.

 

Use these tips to create an environment of healing for your parent for after heart surgery:

  • Keep it clean. Infection is a risk after any surgical procedure, so it is extremely important that your parent’s home is as clean as possible when they return home. Have several sets of clean bedding available so that it can be changed every few days and practice germ control measures throughout the home, including disinfecting surfaces and ensuring that the air stays as clean as possible.
  • Prepare a comfort station. Your parent will need plenty of rest as they are recovering from their surgery. Establish a place in the home where they can relax and stay comfortable but still engage with others. For example, surround their favorite chair with pillows, blankets, a water bottle, healthy snacks, and easy forms of entertainment to keep your loved one relaxed during their rest periods and to minimize how much they will need to get up to get things.
  • Stock the freezer. What your parent eats will make a tremendous difference in their health moving forward from their surgery, and it is important that you start immediately. Preparing meals will be too strenuous for your parent in their early recovery, so empower them to eat well while still getting the rest that they need by stocking their freezer with healthy, nourishing, and delicious meals that are fast and easy to prepare.
  • Boost their spirits. Their mental and emotional health will be a major factor in how your parent copes with recovery. Help to improve their outlook and remind them to stay motivated by boosting their spirits in their home. Add accents of soothing colors. Put up pictures of family and loved ones. Bring in fresh flowers. These can all give your parent a boost and help them to turn their good thoughts toward healing.

 

When your aging parent has to undergo surgery is an ideal time for them to have home care in their lives. An in-home senior care services provider can be there for your parent to help them get their body and mind ready for the procedure, and then be there for them afterwards to help them through their recovery and into their new lifestyle moving forward. This can be extremely beneficial for your senior and for you as their family caregiver. The personalized support, care, assistance, and encouragement of a home care provider can help your parent to not only be prepared for their surgery if they are in their lives prior to the procedure, but can then support them in making the most of their recovery, avoiding potential dangers, and making the most of the lifestyle that the surgery affords after recovery. When it comes to helping your loved one maintain an environment of healing throughout their recovery, this care provider can offer valuable support in tidying and cleaning so that your parent can remain healthy without having to strain themselves handling the tasks themselves during their early recovery. For you as their caregiver, this can give you peace of mind knowing that they are safe, comfortable, and getting what they need to achieve and maintain their best health during this potentially challenging time.

 

If you are considering hiring home care in Loudonville, OH, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.

 

Sources:

http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Topics/Proced/

https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300442.pdf

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/HeartValveProblemsandDisease/Make-Your-Winning-Post-Surgery-Recovery-Plan_UCM_459260_Article.jsp#.WHzU2fkrK00

Stephen Sternbach

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