Tips on post operative care for an older woman

lostinrates

My mother is coming to stay after leaving hospital soon. She's got bad legs but can manage stairs. I'm going to give her our bed as our guest bed is a little low and might be hard to get out of. She'll have a commode too.

Now, besides all normal guest things...like fresh fluffy towels and lovely bedding, and water at the bedside...I thought I'd give her a bell..(although that will get old VERY quickly) and keep her well supplied with good books. I don't think she'll be able to bath, so nice stuff for a strip wash too. and maybe some wipes...though I personally avoid throwaway items like that.

She's told me what she wants to eat and I'm braced not to rise to any thing when it feels difficult...but what else should I think of providing to make her stay better?

BitterAndTwisted

Some company. And a daily to pop in and empty that commode. It was the one thing that made my semi-bedbound Ma curl up with shame and embarrassment at my sister having to do that for her when she was discharged from hospital.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

sounds like you have thought it through, one thing I would suggest is to get a routine going so she doesnt slip into the sick role and it will help build her confidence for managing on her own. By this I mean establish a routine in the day, waking up time, mealtimes and depending on her ability and type of surgery I would strongly encourage excercise to prevent post op complications such as chest infection and clots. You dont have to go far but try to increase the distance daily.
Get her doing little jobs too like peeling the spuds (can do this sitting down!) it will make her feel less useless. Hope she makes a good recovery

tanith

A nice upright chair in her bedroom would be nice for reading and encourage her to get out of bed. Also a radio on her bedside table maybe some nice writing materials , paper envelopes, pens and stamps. One of those V shaped pillows to prop behind her in bed if she feels like reading in bed..

lostinrates

Thank you:). I can't afford a daily just now....maybe I should try and slip in while she's sleeping to do ''empying''? She HAS to walk twice a day, so I thought when I go with her I'll take a bin bag for roadside rubbish so she won't feel ''baby sat'' but that I'm actually doing stuff?

I've sorted it out with clients so that everything possible will be done before she's up (she gets up ate and goes to bed early) and then late afternoon. I obviously have to keep doing housework and dog walking etc, so she will be alone a bit...but I think she won't mind that....after all, one is her dog!

Routine: that's good to think about. She's quite....fearsome....and someone down after the op, so I'm trepidatious about pushing her too much, but don't want to make her feel brushed off either!

lostinrates

tanith wrote: »

A nice upright chair in her bedroom would be nice for reading and encourage her to get out of bed.

Great, I wouldn't have thought of that, I'll ask DH to take a lovely chair she gave us up.

poet123

Maybe a radio as either background "noise" or for her to listen to favourite progs or news.

Counting_Pennies_2

Buy a waterproof cover to go over the mattress to avoid any embarrassments.

As she is in bed for a long time, maybe invest in a mattress topper to make it extra comfy. Put this under the waterproof sheet too.

Also have a look for some talking book tapes and cds. They are readily available in the library. Often post op you don't feel like reading a book, but listening to one as you doze is a big help.

Definitely exercise is key to recovery.

Good luck

scottish_lassy

what about a 2-way baby monitor to save you running up and down stairs when she rings the bell.

lostinrates

scottish_lassy wrote: »

what about a 2-way baby monitor to save you running up and down stairs when she rings the bell.

Ooh, thats a good idea. The phone has intercom but not sure she'll feel comfortable trying to use that.

where should I buy a waterproof bed cover, that's another excellent idea!

lisawood78

Just watch the mattress cover isn't one of those horrible crackly efforts they put on beds at Butlins etc, noisy, uncomfortable and frankly embarrassing.
Good luck!