Tips on post operative care for an older woman

MrsBartolozzi

sueeve wrote: »

Are yoiu sure that the lower bed would help her? I have had various ops, also bad back and 2 post op shoulders and I actually find a higher bed easier, less spring needed to stand up etc. Have you spoken with the physio in the hospital? She may be able to advise, and have other suggestions.

From the first post the OP is letting her mum use their bed because the guest bed is too low, so I'm guessing the master bedroom has a higher bed?

Savvy_Sue

just to say with the exercise, it's quite hard to 'encourage' someone to do it, I know Dad always felt he was being nagged if we asked if he'd done his! so if there are ways of helping with it, do look out for them!

eg I have just started 'strengthening' exercises for the arm. sometimes it's nice to push against DH rather than a wall, I can show off how well I'm doing (or not, if it's not a good day). and today the physio said it would be good to continue to massage the scar regularly, so I hope to get DH onto that.

Counting_Pennies_2

http://www.johnlewis.com/15175/Style.aspx
http://www.johnlewis.com/2391/Style.aspx

Here are some links to mattress protectors.

Have a feel. If they sound crinkly, they will be unpleasant to lay on.

We have the towelling one, and is lovely. Bought it in case my waters broke when pregnant. Then kept it on when breastfeeding, then when the children drank their milk in bed. It is so nice, that it has stayed on the bed.

Counting_Pennies_2

lostinrates wrote: »

Audio books are a great idea as she said she's struggling with books (which is frightful as she is a tremendous reader)

If you find she really enjoys the audio books, maybe buy some as a gift for mothers day http://www.simplylisten.com/

For later on in life if she continues to struggle with reading, don't despair, there is a charity who spend their time narrating all newspapers and magazines for her to keep up to date with current affairs and her hobbies.

My husband's granny spent her entire 80s and through to mid 90s having this subscription given to her by my DH for her birthday and Christmas presents. She said she was sure it is what kept her going as long as she did.

You don't have to be poor sighted to purchase a subscription.

http://www.tnauk.org.uk/Pages/audio_categories.html

Molly41

pigpen wrote: »

Don't forget to take her dog up to see her!

Or even put a blanket on her bed and let her dog snuggle down with her. It used to be absolutely forbidden in our house but then I became unwell and now spend a lot of time in bed. Molly used to follow me upstairs and gradually found her way onto my bed on her blanket - she knows that she is not to stray off it. She gives me so much in terms of her companionship and to feel the weight her little body lying close to me makes me feel so much better. As does stroking her which lowers blood pressure etc.

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

just to say with the exercise, it's quite hard to 'encourage' someone to do it, I know Dad always felt he was being nagged if we asked if he'd done his! so if there are ways of helping with it, do look out for them!

eg I have just started 'strengthening' exercises for the arm. sometimes it's nice to push against DH rather than a wall, I can show off how well I'm doing (or not, if it's not a good day). and today the physio said it would be good to continue to massage the scar regularly, so I hope to get DH onto that.

I meant to go on to say that if there were exercises you could do together, that might work too. I know you mentioned finding excuses for going out for walks together, and that's the kind of thing I mean, I used to wiggle my feet around with Dad to encourage him too because it made my ankles less stiff and achey!

margaretclare

Encourage drinking. Not just tea! Fresh water with ice-cubes and Robinson's. While the body is healing, it needs water. Any athlete will tell you that, following muscle damage.

Don't encourage too much staying in bed. Nowadays in hospital you don't lie around in bed all day!

Have you a shower? If so, this is a much better idea than a bath. DH and I have been in hospital a lot over recent years and the one thing we're always desperate for when we get out is: a proper shower and clean clothes. Proper clothes too - underclothes and (for me) a bra. Nowadays I get into a bra without undoing it, just slip it over head, pull it down and pop boobs inside.

Why is she going to use a commode?

katkins78

margaretclare wrote: »

Why is she going to use a commode?

If it is a getting on and off the toilet issue then perhaps a toilet seat raiser is a good idea, they often come with grab rails attached too. My grandmother had one for many years (bless her) because regular toilet seats were just too low- apparently they are on average 2" shorter nowadays!
She did have a commode in her bedroom too, but never really had to use it - I think that it just being there reassured her!

lostinrates

margaretclare wrote: »

Encourage drinking. Not just tea! Fresh water with ice-cubes and Robinson's. While the body is healing, it needs water. Any athlete will tell you that, following muscle damage.

Don't encourage too much staying in bed. Nowadays in hospital you don't lie around in bed all day!

Have you a shower? If so, this is a much better idea than a bath. DH and I have been in hospital a lot over recent years and the one thing we're always desperate for when we get out is: a proper shower and clean clothes. Proper clothes too - underclothes and (for me) a bra. Nowadays I get into a bra without undoing it, just slip it over head, pull it down and pop boobs inside.

Why is she going to use a commode?

Sadly, no shower here, I think she'll still be stuck with strip washes for a while though anyway....she has a large, stapled wound.

The commode is because mobility is difficult and even pre-op she had trouble ''getting there'' on time. Now, with a leg having been operated on, she's slower, so needs something very near. They also said she has to talk to her GP about early stage kidney failure....they are very concerned about how swollen she is and retaining water.

Although they certainly insist she must exercise twice a day, the exercise is limited and she has to keep the leg raised for a lot of the rest of the time, partly because of the amount of swelling. That said, I have a drop arm sofa she can come down to.

No chance of her dog...a very big dog! Getting on the bed, because of the fragility of her, I'm even a bit worried if the dog tries to ''shake hands, or thump her with a paw on the leg Otherwise I'd be only to pleased to let the dog on the bed. No reason the dog couldn't lie next to her if she will settle downstairs and they could watch a film together or something.....

she likes my cats and I guess they will be thrilled if someone is staying in bed a lot though....its their idea of heaven.

I offered to take her places in the car, but she finds that sitting position, knee bent, the worst with the swelling.

she also is finding everything very cold so I've put an electric heater in our room and will put the wood burner on down stairs....that might help

Oh and yes, she's having our room because it has a higher bed.

Jake'sGran

lostinrates wrote: »

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!

Since I have had a lot of surgery I have slept downstairs as that is where the bathroom is. As I have a serious heart problem I wanted to find a way of alerting my husband in the event of an urgent response being required so we bought one of those front door bells that does not need wires. I have the main part at my side and he has the part that plays a song (Oh! Susannah).

Only trouble is, the part in the upstairs bedroom starts playing this song when certain cars turn round in the cul-de-sac.