It’s time for your mom to get shoulder surgery. She’s had rotator cuff pain for years and now the weakened tendon has torn. You’ve talked to her surgeon, and she has a long recovery ahead. Her surgeon said post-hospital care services are essential for the recovery which can take up to six months.
What Happens During the Recovery?
As your mom’s shoulder heals and strengthens, she’ll work with a physical therapist to build strength and improve her range of motion. She is going to wear a sling for a month or two, and during that time, she needs to keep exercising her fingers and wrist to keep them from freezing up.
She cannot lift anything heavy. That can make routine chores like laundry, washing dishes, cooking meals, carrying in groceries, and changing her sheets next to impossible. Post-hospital care aides are essential for that reason.
What Can Post-Hospital Care Aides Do?
Your mom’s home care aides will make sure she’s taking her pain medications at the appropriate times by reminding her when it’s been X number of hours. If her doctor wants her to take ibuprofen every four hours and acetaminophen halfway through those four-hour gaps, her caregiver can remind her when it’s time.
Medication reminders are part of your mom’s post-hospital care services. She also has a caregiver to cook her meals, shop for groceries, carry packages in, and put things away. Her caregiver can vacuum the carpets, make beds, and do the laundry.
It’s hard to lift a heavy pot or casserole dish with one hand. Your mom’s going to rely on others to cook her meals, and you may not have enough time to be there every day. Spend time with her on your days off, and let a caregiver help out when you’re busy with work or your children.
Your mom is going to find it hard to wash her hair with one hand. Her caregiver can help. Her caregiver can also help her get wrapped up in a towel after the shower, help her dry off, and help her get dressed.
Your mom may not be able to drive for several months, but she’ll have appointments to attend and errands to run. Her caregiver can drive her when you’re not available. If your mom needs to refill a prescription, go to the bank, or see her physical therapist, her caregiver provides transportation.
As your mom’s strength and use of her shoulder improve, her care plan is easily adjusted. She can start taking over some of the chores she was doing and see how it goes. If she still needs the caregiver’s help, that’s fine. If she’s comfortable doing things for herself again, that’s even better.
Book post-hospital care services as soon as you can. Allowing more time to ask your mom’s surgeon what care she’s going to need and having time to get answers to questions from a home care agency ensures you don’t overlook anything. Learn more about the range of post-hospital care services by talking to a specialist.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Post-Hospital Care Services in Fox Chapel PA please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Pittsburgh today. Call 412-241-7292
Extended Family Care Pittsburgh is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania including Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Mercer County, Washington County, North Hills, South Hills, Fox Chapel, Monroeville, Murrysville, Oakland, Plum Boro, Squirrel Hill.
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