Spinal fusion surgery is often a final option for someone who is suffering from back pain, extreme weakness, or numbness that may be caused by various conditions such as a herniated disk, pinched nerve, or spine injury. The surgery will fuse two or more vertebrae to create a stronger, more stable structure of the back. While you’re loved one is recovering from her surgery, you might want to consider having in-home rehabilitation providers come to her home.
Going Home After Spinal Fusion Surgery
Your loved one may return home the same day as the surgery if it was an outpatient procedure. If it was inpatient, she’d probably spend a night or two in the hospital. Either way, it won’t be long until she needs to return home for the rest of her recovery.
There will be many activities that your loved one cannot participate in either alone or at all. Because of this, it is usually recommended that someone should stay with her as she recovers, or she should stay at someone else’s home during this time. Whichever you choose, be prepared to have someone scheduled to help with daily grooming, food preparation, and home care during this time.
Five Items to Make Recovery Smoother for Your Elderly Loved One
At first, your loved one will need to spend a lot of time resting. Having a comfortable chair for her to spend time recuperating will help her days go by more smoothly and ensure she has everything she needs within reach.
Ice Packs and Heating Pads. For the first couple of days, she may only be allowed to use ice packs to help with pain and to reduce swelling. Look at getting gel packs that have a lot lower risk of leaking or making a mess. After those initial days, she’ll also be allowed to use heating pads for discomfort.
A back scratcher. It may seem like a small thing, but your loved one won’t be able to bend and twist and with the healing process, may find herself having a very itchy back. A simple back scratcher nearby will keep her from continually asking someone to come over and scratch her back.
A grabber tool. This will help your loved one reach items that she cannot bend over to get or are a bit out of reach.
A mini fridge or cooler. Staying hydrated is important so make sure your loved one has plenty of her favorite refreshments within reach so she can enjoy them as needed.
Plenty of comfortable pillows. Sitting and sleeping can both be uncomfortable so using pillows to create just the right angle will help your loved one recover without too much pain.
Consider In-Home Rehabilitation and its Many Benefits
With in-home rehabilitation, your loved one doesn’t have to try to navigate riding in a vehicle to get to the clinic for her rehabilitation. Riding in vehicles can be tricky and sometimes painful during those first months after surgery. In-home rehabilitation will also reduce the risk of her coming in contact with germs and bacteria that may make her ill while her immune system is weakened.
Finally, in-home rehabilitation can customize your loved one’s care to reflect her current living situation, making recovery quicker and more focused on her needs.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Rehabilitation Services in Deerfield Beach FL, please contact the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call 954-962-0926.
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Florida including Palm Beach, Miami Dade, and Broward County.
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