The website Eldering is packed full of information for those caring for an elderly loved one. Our Clinical Director Apple Jacobe is one of their team of experts providing advice, guidance and reviews of articles such as the below;
If your parent or elder relative has recently had a stay in hospital – for surgery, such as a hip replacement, or due to a health crisis – your support to help them recover at home can make a world of difference.
Not only can you help them regain strength more quickly but, crucially, you can reduce their risk of going back into hospital, which could prolong their recovery or even worsen their health.
Follow hospital discharge instructions
When your parent is discharged from hospital, they’ll receive discharge paperwork that provides key information about their medication, follow-up appointments, wound care, and any restrictions on activity or mobility.
Make sure you:
- Read these instructions carefully.
- Ensure you and your parent fully understand them.
- Pay particular attention to medication schedules, wound care, and specific activity guidelines.
- Note down any follow up appointments in your calendar and ensure your parent attends these.
If anything is unclear, ask the medical team before your parent leaves the hospital, or contact them once they’re home for further clarification. It’s always better to ask questions upfront to avoid any confusion later on.
Control for infection
To reduce the risk of infection, especially if your parent’s immune system is weak or they’ve had surgery, it’s important to follow strict hygiene practices:
- Hand hygiene: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, especially before and after touching the surgical site.
- Wound care: Keep the surgical wound clean and dry. Follow the healthcare team’s instructions for changing dressings and caring for the wound.
- Clean environment: Ensure your parent’s living area is clean. Regularly disinfect surfaces and keep the environment free from dust and dirt.
- Limit visitors: To prevent exposure to potential infections, limit the number of visitors during the initial recovery period.
Monitor for signs of complications
Older people are more at risk of complications from surgery due to a variety of reasons.
Key complications and signs to look out for following a surgery or health crisis are:
- Infection: Redness, increased pain, warmth, or discharge from the wound.
- Haematoma: Swelling, bruising, or a feeling of fullness at the surgical site.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Swelling, redness, or pain in the legs, especially the calf.
- Pulmonary embolism: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or rapid heartbeat.
- Delirium: Confusion, disorientation, or sudden changes in mental status.
Since pain isn’t always visible, ask about their pain level daily (mild, moderate, or severe).
If you notice anything worrying, call NHS 111 or contact their consultant or surgeon for guidance.
Organise in-home care support
In some cases, the hospital discharge team will coordinate with adult social services to arrange in-home care support. However, this process doesn’t always go smoothly, and there may be delays or issues with the quality of care.
In these situations, you might want to consider arranging care privately in the interim to avoid any disruption or to ensure a higher standard of support. Fully-managed agencies such as Hamilton George Care will provide not only a carer in your home, but also work with discharge teams to support the smooth transition between home and hospital.
Depending on your parent or relative’s specific needs and budget, there are different types of care support you could consider:
- Domiciliary care: This involves a carer visiting their home once or twice a day to assist with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, or meal preparation. While this is an affordable option, it may not provide continuous support and could lead to gaps in care, particularly if your parent needs more assistance throughout the day or night.
- Short-term live-in care: If your parent lives alone and has the space and budget, short-term live-in care might be a good option. A live-in carer provides 24/7 support for a couple of weeks, assisting with daily activities and ensuring that your parent is safe and comfortable around the clock. While this can be more expensive, it offers peace of mind and continuity of care.
You can find care local agencies through platforms like homecare.co.uk, or you might want to ask the healthcare team, friends, or neighbours for recommendations to ensure you find a reliable and trusted agency. You can also check an agency’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating here.
Monitor medication
Depending on the reason your parent was in hospital, they will usually be prescribed up to 1-2 weeks of medications to be continued at home when they leave.
Make sure you:
- Understand what the medications are for
- Understand what their potential side effects are
- Follow the dosage instructions
You might want to use a pill organiser like this one if there are several medications or a complex dosing schedule.
Pay attention to:
- Managing Pain: Encourage your parent to take any prescribed pain medicine on schedule. Don’t wait for the pain to start. It’s easier to keep pain away than to reduce it once it becomes severe.
- Taking Antibiotics: If your parent is given antibiotics, make sure they finish the entire course as instructed, even if they start feeling better. Skipping doses or not taking the medications on time each day can lead to infections and make antibiotics less effective in the future.
Note: If they need to continue the medications beyond the initial supply provided by the hospital, it will be up to you or your parent to contact their GP or consultant to get repeat prescriptions.
Encourage good nutrition and hydration
Maintaining proper nutrition and hydration is important for a smooth recovery. Dehydration can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections and delayed healing.
Ensure their fridge and cupboards are well stocked with nutritious, easy to cook foods.
If cooking is challenging, consider meal delivery services or prepare meals in advance and put them in the freezer. Keeping a bowl of easily accessible, easy to eat fruits like satsumas or tangerines encourages healthy snacking and provides essential vitamins to boost the immune system.
Encourage physical activity but don’t overdo it
Encourage your parent to start moving gently. Simple activities, such as short walks or light stretching can improve blood flow, help them heal faster and avoid problems like blood clots and muscle weakness.
However, always consult with their doctor or healthcare team first to determine the appropriate level of activity for them. If surgery was involved, there may be movement or weight-bearing restrictions, so be vigilant about the mobility advice to prevent injury.
It’s also important that your parent listens to their body and rests when they’re tired.
If you want support or further advice, you can speak to their GP about community physiotherapy services available through the NHS or consider private options like Pure Physiotherapy or Physio.co.uk.
Guard against falls
Ensure that their home (or wherever they are recovering) is safe, by removing trip hazards like loose rugs, electrical cords, or clutter.
If your parent is having trouble walking, consider using mobility aids like a walker, cane, or hiring a wheelchair. Speak to their GP or an occupational therapist about what might be best for them.
Ensure they have help with housework
If your parent insists on doing household chores, remind them that activities like lifting a vacuum cleaner or overexerting themselves could slow down their healing process. It’s important they avoid tasks that might strain their body during recovery.
If you can’t help them with the chores and cleaning yourself, consider hiring a cleaning or laundry service. Services like Maid2Clean offer one-off or regular cleaning assistance.
Provide social and emotional support
Social interaction is crucial for mental health and healing, but recovery from surgery or illness can become lonely and isolating if you live on your own or have limited mobility. It can also be stressful and frustrating.
Help your parent stay calm and connected with loved ones, whether through phone calls, video chats, or in-person visits.
If they are feeling anxious or stressed, meditation and breathing exercises can help.
In summary
The success of surgery or treatment in hospital is only part of the healing journey; the recovery environment at home is equally important.
By taking these steps, you can enhance the chances of a better and faster recovery, and reduce the risk of complications or a readmission to hospital.
Common questions
What should I do if my parent refuses help at home?
- If your parent refuses help, it’s important to have an open and empathetic conversation to understand their concerns. Involve them in decision-making and consider compromising on certain aspects to make them feel more comfortable accepting assistance.
How can I tell if my parent is experiencing complications after discharge?
- Look for signs such as increased pain, redness or swelling around wounds, difficulty breathing, or confusion. If any of these occur, contact their doctor or NHS 111 for advice.
Are there financial support options for in-home care services?
- Depending on your parent’s circumstances, they may be eligible for financial assistance through local council services or benefits. Contact your local council’s adult social services department for information on available support.
For more information on caring for elderly parents, head to Eldering.co.uk
At Hamilton George Care we provide rehabilitation support for our clients and their family. If you or a loved one have planned surgery, or have a fall or injury and find yourself in hospital, out team can support you in coming home. Many hospitals won't allow patients home unless they can prove they are returning to a safe environment. Our experienced in-house team will liaise with the hospital discharge team and any other decision makers to ensure a smooth - and often much speedier - transition.
