5 Tips for Helping Aging Adults Get Ready for Surgery

Even a relatively minor surgical procedure can have a major impact on a senior’s physical and mental health. If your aging loved one has an operation coming up, you need to spend some time getting him or her ready for the procedure. With a little bit of preparation, you can greatly reduce your loved one’s risk of post-op complications.

1. Schedule Multiple Appointments with the Surgeon

One of the best things you can do for your loved one in the weeks leading up to the procedure is schedule at least one or two appointments with the surgeon or surgical team. These consultations will give you and your parent the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the procedure itself. The surgeon can also give you other vital information, such as how long the operation is going to last and what the recovery period is going to be like. It’s also important to plan for your loved one’s care after surgery, and older adults who need help during the recovery process can benefit from professional in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same homecare services. Families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

2. Enhance Their Diet

Going into the operation, your loved one needs to be as healthy as possible, which is why you might want to take a fresh look at his or her diet. Enhancing your loved one’s diet well before the operation is performed could have a significant impact on the length of the recovery period as well as his or her overall comfort. The surgeon might give you specific dietary instructions, but most seniors who are getting ready for surgery will benefit from a diet that emphasizes fresh produce, whole grains, and lean sources of protein. 

3. Keep Them Active

Unless your loved one has a disability or injury that’s preventing him or her from moving around, try to keep him or her as active as possible. When a senior remains sedentary for a long time, it could result in weaker muscles, more body fat, and chronic inflammation throughout the joints. Working on cardiovascular health and overall flexibility can make the recovery period shorter and less uncomfortable. 

4. Set Up a Recovery Area Together

Spending a little bit of time setting up a comfortable recovery area for your loved one could put him or her at ease and take his or her mind off the upcoming procedure. The recovery area should include a comfortable place to sit or lie down as well as snacks, water, and various sources of entertainment. You should also make sure the recovery area doesn’t have any unnecessary clutter that could pose a tripping hazard.  Hiring a professional caregiver can be a fantastic way to make your parent’s recovery process much more comfortable after surgery. In Winnipeg, elder care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

5. Go Over Medications

Well before any major procedures are performed, seniors need to speak with their surgeons about all the medications they’re taking. Certain medications might need to be altered or avoided entirely if they have the potential of increasing the risk of post-op complications. You should also make sure you collect any medications that are going to be needed once your loved one gets home. These might include everything from antibacterial drugs to painkillers.  Caring for a loved one, both before and after surgery, can take a toll on a family caregiver’s health. Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Winnipeg families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (204) 489-6000 today.