How Family Members Can Support Postoperative Recovery (Without Doing It All Alone)

When hearing that your loved one requires surgery, your first thought might be wondering how you can help. It’s vital that patients have a good support system at home before being discharged from the hospital, especially if their operation is likely to limit mobility or impact their emotional well-being.

However, family carers can quickly become burnt out if they take on too much responsibility alongside their other commitments. There’s also a fine line between being supportive and overbearing, so how can you land a perfect balance?

Today, we’ll explore how you can support your family members to help aid their recovery and get them back on their feet quickly, but without shouldering the burden alone.

Preparing Your Loved One’s Home Before Surgery

Support doesn’t begin only after their operation. You can start by preparing their home before the day of their surgery, so they can come home to a beneficial, nurturing environment.

Every surgery is different, so the recovery timeline and side effects may affect how you adapt to your family member’s home. For example, joint replacements can severely limit mobility, so focusing on clear pathways and reducing fall risk should be a priority.

To prepare their living space, consider the following tips:

• Clear pathways and remove trip hazards: Mobility may be limited in the first few days and weeks after surgery, so walk around their home and check for loose carpet, rugs, low furniture and cables.

• Install assistance aids: Items like grab bars, handrails, and shower seats can be incredibly helpful during the recovery period, helping your loved one maintain their independence.

• Keep important things within reach: Consider which belongings your family member may need close by, such as remote controls, clothing, e-readers and water bottles, and store them in easy-to-reach places.

• Stock up on necessities: Make sure your loved one has enough food, soap, shampoo, and other essentials so they don’t have to go shopping before they feel ready.

• Set up a comfortable sleep space downstairs: If stairs are likely to be challenging after their surgery, consider setting up a temporary sleep space downstairs to use until they feel more confident.

• Hire necessary equipment: Your loved one may benefit from crutches, a walker or a reclining chair during their recovery at home, so consider renting these for short-term use.

• Confirm transport home: Make sure you and your family member know who’s due to pick them up from hospital after they’ve been discharged to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.

Tips for Supporting Loved Ones After Surgery

Caring for a family member after surgery is often more complex than it sounds. To make sure you and your loved one feel happy and confident returning home, consider these practical tips for supporting them after surgery:

1. Patience Is a Virtue

The first few days after surgery are going to be tough on your loved one, especially once they’re home and trying to settle into a sense of normalcy. They may be tired, in pain and discomfort, frustrated with the new challenges they’re facing, and upset about their sudden loss of independence. They may try and push you away, but this is when they need you most.

Suddenly becoming a family carer can be testing for both you and your loved one. Remember to be understanding and patient where you can, and take regular breaks for yourself. You’ll be able to deliver the best support only when you’re calm, confident and clear-headed.

2. Follow the Doctor’s Orders

Your family member’s doctor will have given them clear instructions for continuing their recovery at home, so it’s essential that they adhere to this advice. If possible, you should be at the hospital before discharge so you can hear the rehabilitation orders for yourself. This ensures both you and your loved one know what to expect moving forward.

Check out our guide on questions to ask before leaving hospital to make sure you’re confident about what’s needed of you before your family member returns home.

Keep a list of medications they’ve been prescribed and make sure they’re being taken correctly. Monitor prescriptions to avoid running out and missing a dose. You can also check for wound infections and help with dressing changes. Seek medical attention if you notice anything unusual or worrying.

3. Find a Healthy Balance Between Support and Independence

Returning home from surgery to a sudden lack of independence can be incredibly tough on your family members. They may struggle with the idea of not being able to do simple things like household chores, cooking and moving around without support. Your assistance during the first few days or weeks may be invaluable, but encourage them to do more on their own as they get stronger.

Continuing to do most things may create a dependency that makes it more difficult for both of you to part once they’ve fully recovered. They may also find your support overbearing if you don’t give them a chance to thrive on their own. To support independence, consider:

• Give them space: Instead of following your family member around their home whenever they need something, give them the space they need. If they still require support with moving and steadying, take a few steps back to avoid overcrowding them.

• Aids to encourage independence: Consider adding a shower seat to the bathroom and a perching stool to the kitchen, which can support independence and dignity, and ensure they can continue doing things for themselves without asking for help.

• Monitor, don’t take over: If your loved one wants to do things for themselves, support this by monitoring them from afar. You’ll be there to step in if needed, but without appearing overbearing or rushing them.
• Be there for them: Sometimes, simply being there for your family member is all the support they need. Actively listen to their feelings, encourage them to continue hobbies and social activities, and empathise with them to help validate their feelings.

4. Keep Track of Follow-Up Appointments

Your loved one may struggle to keep track of their follow-up appointments, especially if their pain medicine is making them groggy or confused. It can be beneficial for you to keep track of their appointments to prevent any from being missed. With their permission, you can also attend appointments to support them and make notes to relay to them at a later date, should they have any questions when back at home.

Use these appointments as an opportunity to learn as much as possible about their condition. Consider questions to ask and write them down in advance so you don’t forget any. The more you know about your family member’s condition, the more you’ll be able to help throughout their recovery and prevent hospital readmission.

5. Monitor for Post-Surgery Complications

Post-surgical complications can materialise in many different ways. Some people experience sleep troubles post-surgery, while others find recovery difficult on their emotional well-being. Side effects may be from the surgery itself, medications or the impact of the surgical experience on the body.

These effects are often common but stressful, and they can even complicate the recovery process. Some may even be serious and need immediate medical attention, such as wound infections. Always consult your loved one’s doctor if you’re concerned about anything.

6. Encourage Rehabilitation Exercises

Postoperative rehabilitation often requires exercises to encourage blood flow, flexibility and the maintenance of muscle strength. Exercising might be the last thing your loved one wants to do after returning home, but it can be essential for an efficient, smooth recovery.

Encourage your loved one to complete their stretches as often as recommended by their healthcare team. Keep an eye on their ability and energy levels, making sure they don’t overdo it.

7. Consider Help From a Professional Carer

Sometimes, it’s impossible for you, as a single family member, to support your loved one in the way they require post-surgery. You may have other commitments to consider, such as a career or children, or live too far away to provide as much assistance as your loved one needs. Instead of stretching yourself too thin to do it all, consider a live-in carer, which might be the best way forward.

A professional carer can provide all the support you’d offer, giving you peace of mind that your loved one is in the best care possible. You’ll be able to focus on your own responsibilities while still offering emotional support when you can.

How Country Cousins Can Help

At Country Cousins, we’re passionate about providing bespoke live-in care for clients who need it most, including those who have recently undergone surgery. We offer a range of short-term services, including postoperative care for comprehensive support after surgery, and live-in respite care that provides family caregivers with a much-needed break.

Our carers are committed to providing care that focuses on independence and dignity, supporting your loved one through the recovery process and helping them get back into their usual routine. With one-on-one support, your family member will have sufficient time to complete tasks independently, promoting efficient recovery and enhanced mental and emotional well-being.

Download our guide to care at home after hospital discharge for more information on how we can support your loved one’s postoperative recovery.

Talk to Our Team Today

As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.

Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.