Older Americans Month falls in May and in 2023, the theme is “Aging Unbound.” It’s time to talk about overcoming stereotypes that come to mind as you think about the elderly. One of them is that older adults can’t remain active, independent, or involved in their community. What are the most common surgeries for the elderly? How do you ensure your loved one’s desire to age their way doesn’t get impacted by surgery? Post-hospital care services can help them through this issue.
Your dad loves living independently and wants to age at home. However, he did get an injury and needs surgery.
Five Common Surgeries Elderly Patients Undergo
Post-Hospital Care Coconut Creek – What Surgeries Are Older Adults Likely to Get?Angioplasty, Stents, and Atherectomy: Arteries that are clogged with plaque need to be opened (angioplasty) to restore blood flow. Sometimes, a stent is inserted to hold the artery open. Sometimes, the plaque is surgically removed (atherectomy).
Broken Bone Repair: If a bone breaks during a fall or accident, the bone may not heal on its own. Sometimes, surgery is needed to add a plate and pins to secure the bone as it heals.
Cataract Surgery: Cataracts are common in older adults, but they can impair vision. Surgery to remove the unhealthy lens in the eye and replace it with an artificial one.
Heart Bypass: This is the most common open-heart surgery in the U.S. It’s a surgery where a blocked artery is surgically repaired by adding a new artery to restore proper blood flow to the heart.
Joint Replacement: Wear and tear on the joints is common as people age. Sometimes, a joint is so badly worn that replacement of that joint is the best option to restore mobility and ease pain. Knees and hips are two areas where joint replacements are common, followed by ankles and shoulders.
How Do You Make Sure He Regains His Preferred Level of Activity?
No matter which surgery your dad is having, he must do what his surgeon recommends as he recovers. If he doesn’t, he risks rehospitalization and damaging his healing incisions.
Commonly, this includes lowering his activity and exercise routines for a few weeks. He may be allowed to take short, slow-paced walks with his dog, but he cannot go hiking mountain trails with the family for now.
He’s not going to be allowed to lift items. If it’s laundry day, he can’t lift the hamper and carry it to his laundry room. Home care aides or family caregivers need to do this for him. He also needs someone to clean his home, take out the trash and recyclables, and carry in groceries.
Often, he’ll be on pain medications that prevent him from being allowed to drive. Make sure someone is available to drive him to follow-up appointments.
Post-hospital care is a great way to ensure your dad takes it easy and follows his post-surgery instructions. Make the arrangements after you talk to the surgeon about your dad’s recovery time and what he can and cannot do.
If you or a family member need to hire Post-Hospital Care Services in Coconut Creek FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. We provide service in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate, Pompano Beach, and Tamarac.
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