Create a Home Care Plan Before Your Dad’s Surgery
Your dad has to undergo surgery. If it’s a minor surgery, he should return to his regular routines in a few days to a couple of weeks. Other surgeries may take months before he’s back to normal. As soon as he knows the surgery is pending, it’s time to discuss his home care after the surgery.
Has He Drawn Up Legal Documents, Yet?
No one wants to think of the worst-case scenario, but it’s time to talk to your dad about his legal documents. If something happens and medical decisions need to be made while he’s anesthetized, does he have an agent for medical and financial matters? Powers of attorney are essential for that reason.
Does he have HIPAA permissions in place for those he wants the doctors to be able to talk to after his surgery? You should also find out if he has advance directives or a living will in place.
How Should He Prepare for the Surgery?
Before the surgery, what are his instructions? He may not be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day before. He might be asked to dress in light, loose clothing that will not put additional pressure on the incision.
If he takes medications, find out what he is supposed to do before the surgery. He may be asked to stop taking blood thinners before the procedure. He may have to take his insulin at a specific time before the surgery.
What Does Your Dad Need After He Goes Home?
Many surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. He’ll go home shortly after the procedure is done. If that is the case, ask about the things he’ll need. If bandage changes are required, you want to have the supplies available. You’ll want surgical tape, non-stick gauze bandages, and alcohol or iodine swabs for cleaning up the skin to prevent infection.
He’s probably going to have to avoid showering for a few days. Find out how long until he can remove the pressure bandage and take a full shower. Ask if he’ll have to return to have the sutures removed or if they’re dissolving stitches.
Home Care Can Help Him Around the Home After the Surgery
Talk to your dad’s surgical team about his recovery. If he’s going home, he has to follow his doctor’s orders. That means taking it easy and not overusing the muscles near the surgical site. To ensure he does this, it’s helpful to have home care providers with him until his stitches are removed.
Home care aides can do the housework and laundry, answer the phone, and get your dad food and drinks. Call our home care agency and schedule caregivers as soon as you have the surgery scheduled.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care Services in Perry GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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