Proper postoperative care is crucial in ensuring that a person recovers quickly and returns to their normal activities as soon as possible after surgery. It also reduces the risk of complications that may worsen the recovery period and increase the need for medical intervention.
Once discharged from the hospital, your risk of falls and mismanaged medication, as well as pain management needs, can significantly increase. Our Country Cousins carers provide invaluable care and support in order to minimise risks and maximise recovery outcomes.
What is postoperative care?
Postoperative care is the support and assistance provided by care professionals to aid in achieving the best possible recovery. It is primarily focused on helping patients heal and recover from various side effects caused by a procedure.
This type of care is provided after a person has undergone a surgical procedure and requires ongoing support to facilitate their recovery. It begins when an operation is completed and continues after the person has been discharged from hospital.
Postoperative caregivers help provide daily living assistance, such as preparing meals and picking up prescriptions, fall prevention assistance, rehabilitation exercises, wound care and much more.
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Who is postoperative care for?
Patients needing extra help recovering from complex operations, such as cardiac or brain surgery, are always provided with postoperative care. However, postoperative care may also be recommended for patients who have undergone less complex surgeries, depending on their existing health, support needs and circumstances.
Some individuals may be more likely to require postoperative care, including:
While recovering from procedures such as knee or hip replacement surgery, patients may experience mobility issues for several months. Postoperative care can aid in mobility both inside and outside the home, as well as support daily rehabilitation exercises.
Older adults are far more likely than others to need postoperative care due to decreased physical capacity. A range of postoperative care services, like support with hygiene and daily tasks, can be provided by the carers we match our clients with, who have many years of experience working with the elderly.
Many patients rely on their relatives to assist them with various duties after surgery. Postoperative care helps family members by reducing the stress in their lives, from simple tasks like buying groceries and collecting prescriptions, to providing practical day-to-day assistance with meal preparation, hygiene and household chores. Postoperative home care supports the whole family.
What are the types of postoperative care?
The two types of postoperative care are inpatient care, also known as postoperative hospital care and home-based care, also known as postoperative home care.
Postoperative Hospital Care
After medical surgery is completed, depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s needs, postoperative hospital care begins immediately. Following the surgeon’s and doctor’s instructions, the patient receives proper care from the medical staff during this time.
The hospital’s medical team provides comprehensive care, encompassing vital sign monitoring, regular check-ups and wound management. It is essential to consult with the medical team at this time to understand a patient’s postoperative care needs and ensure that home care is in place upon discharge from the hospital.
Postoperative Home Care
Following hospital discharge, patients should receive care at home that supports taking prescribed medicines, monitoring for complications, following dietary recommendations, attending scheduled appointments, and engaging in any prescribed physical activity, such as rehabilitation exercises.
The long process of postoperative care can be stressful and frustrating for the patient and their family. Postoperative care requires a high level of medical skill and knowledge, as well as the ability to respond quickly to complications or side effects. It’s preferable to allow professionals to manage postoperative care to guarantee the patient has optimal care and support at this critical time.
What is the purpose of postoperative care?
The goal of postoperative care is to ensure a proper recovery and prevent complications that may harm the patient’s health and impair their ability to fully heal. Postoperative care is temporary and goal-focused. The main goal is to avoid post-surgery complications, assist with medical needs and support daily living in order to optimise the recovery process.
Postoperative treatment goals may also include increasing patients’ strength, endurance and flexibility. Depending on how the surgery proceeds and the patient’s recovery, the doctor may adjust some of their postoperative care recommendations after the procedure.
“My elderly aunt used Country Cousins for about 3 months having been in hospital before. She had 2 different carers both were lovely and my aunt got on well with them. It was quite obvious that they enjoyed their work”
- Carol A, Client's Niece
Postoperative care at home
Depending on how surgery is carried out, postoperative care may begin in the hospital if the patient is admitted for surgery and continue once they have been discharged. Some minor operations and procedures may be carried out as outpatient surgery, meaning that a hospital stay is not required. In this case, postoperative care will begin at home immediately after surgery.
In either circumstance, Country Cousins is well-positioned to support you on your journey. We have been matching clients with excellent carers with experience in postoperative care at home for over 60 years.
A Country Cousin carer will live in your home with you or your loved one and can support with:
- Washing, dressing, shaving and toilet needs
- Mobility support and steadying, accompanying to appointments
- Ordering prescriptions
- Rehabilitation support, such as daily exercises and health monitoring
- Light housework, laundry, shopping and preparing meals
- Domestic administration, such as daily errands and arranging appointments
- Pet feeding and care, such as taking your dog for a daily walk
- Companionship and recreational support
If you or a loved one is facing a period of post-surgery recovery, get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you back to full health as quickly as possible.
Call our care team today on 01293 224706 or fill in our online enquiry form.
Preoperative & postoperative care services
If you or a loved one is facing surgery, it can be easy to focus only on what happens afterwards. However, preparing yourself and being in the best possible physical shape before surgery can improve surgical outcomes and your ability to recover fully.
Preoperative care refers to the preparation of a patient for surgery. This may involve following a specific diet, engaging in targeted exercises and regularly monitoring the person’s health.
At Country Cousins, we recognise that this can be particularly challenging for individuals with complex medical conditions or other pre-existing health issues. That’s why we provide preoperative and postoperative live-in care services to support you at home.
If you’re unsure about the type of care that’s best for you, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry service and will be happy to help you explore the best options for your needs, providing recommendations tailored to your personal circumstances.
How to arrange postoperative care
With our wealth of experience and team of experts, we can match you with the perfect carer who will provide postoperative care support quickly. Collaborating with you, your family and other health professionals involved in your care, they will recommend care support based on your needs and wishes.
We will match a Country Cousins carer to your specific care needs, taking into account the carer’s work history and personal qualities to ensure a good fit with you. Our Country Cousins carers are more than just carers, they provide reassurance and emotional support, and often become like one of the family.
Speak to our care experts today to find out how we can help you. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Our professional and compassionate team are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm / Saturday & Sunday, 9am to 5pm on 01293 224706. Alternatively, you can fill out our online enquiry form.
