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Whether undergoing minor or major surgery, you’ll want to prepare for the recovery afterward. The elderly, in particular, often need more time to heal properly. Here are a handful of do’s and don’ts to help senior citizens navigate surgery recovery

Do:

Watch for infections.

Monitor incision sites for signs of infection, which may include hemorrhaging, pus production, pain, swelling, redness, and fever. Prevent infection by changing bandages, cleaning the wounds, and keeping the area dry as per your physician’s instructions. Though soreness, itching, and numbness are normal, contact your doctor if you notice more severe symptoms.  

Take antibiotics and pain medications.

surgery recoveryFinish the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor to accelerate healing, prevent infection, and keep you from becoming resistant to the medication. Additionally, take your pain medication, which will allow you to move without discomfort, and, in turn, decrease the risk of blood clots. 

Don’t:

Drive right away.

Since you’ll likely be under anesthesia, which causes grogginess and disorientation, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure. Depending on pain medication side effects and the location of incision wounds, your doctor may also advise you to avoid driving for at least a week or two following surgery. 

Skip appointments.

Follow-up appointments with your doctor are crucial for monitoring your surgery recovery. Additionally, make it to all of your physical therapy appointments, so you can recover your range of motion and quickly get back to doing what you love.

 

When you need home health care services to make surgery recovery easier, get in touch with CareResource Hawaii. These in-home caregivers provide speech, occupational, and physical therapy to elderly clients throughout Honolulu. Call (808) 599-4999 to schedule partial or 24-hour home health care, and visit the website to learn more about how they can assist with personal care, specimen collection, and post-operative services. 

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