Tips on post operative care for an older woman

Savvy_Sue

Jake'sGran wrote: »

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.

Does it have two channels? would be worth changing to the other if it does, to see if that helps!

Should I ever need one, I'll definitely have Oh Susannah as my tune! :rotfl:

although I've found the intercom bit on the phone good: would highlighting the button she needs to press be adequate?

sueeve

Thanks Mrs B, I reversed the 1st post in my mind when I read it. To rethink my comment, you could raise the spare bed on blocks; I have had to do that for a medical condition before now. My husband got blocks of wood and drilled a hole in the middle for the leg to sit in safely

lostinrates

sueeve wrote: »

Thanks Mrs B, I reversed the 1st post in my mind when I read it. To rethink my comment, you could raise the spare bed on blocks; I have had to do that for a medical condition before now. My husband got blocks of wood and drilled a hole in the middle for the leg to sit in safely

I really want to raise the spare room bed, but right now it would be too much palaver....also, our room is dual aspect, and is particularly lovely in the morning light, but has good light all day. the spare room faces west and might be grim to wake up to after a sore night. and the view isn't as nice (ATM the view is mainly of mud!)

Fen1

I nursed my grandmothers and parents, so can speak from experience.
As mentioned before, plus a few extra:

Mattress cover. You should also have draw-sheets where she sleeps. Easy to change and wash, rather than having to change the whole base sheet. ( A draw sheet is a large sheet cut in four, about the size of a baby's cot. )

Baby monitor.

Weleda nappy rash cream - great for sore botts or any other bits of dry skin.

Routine - up and out and no slacking! Also make sure that she understands that she is a guest in your home and you are not her personal servant. If she gets whiny or demanding - walk out of the room. What can she do - chase you? Make sure that you are the boss from day 1.

Get visitors in every day so she has to be up and presentable. She has to go downstairs for visitors. You could have the mobile hairdresser come in once a week, if only for a wash and blow-dry. Contact The Cinnammon Trust - a dog-walking and sitting charity - to help out with dog-caring. Mum can also then have a good chat with the dog-walker. Help the Aged could also advise on volunteer visitors.

Contact your local Red Cross to hire a wheelchair ( if your hospital does not provide one). The Red Cross are brilliant. Fresh air is good.

Get the large wipes that District Nurses use for bed-baths. Contact your local surgery for details. They are much easier to use than flannels and water.

Look after yourself!

Errata

Contact your local Red Cross to hire a wheelchair ( if your hospital does not provide one). The Red Cross are brilliant. Fresh air is good.

Good idea. My local Age Concern also loans out wheelchairs free of charge, they're all individually named after Disney characters

lostinrates

I have the bed airing for her tonight. I stupidly broke a bottle of lavender essential oil and so the room smells VERY relaxing, despite best attmpt to clear up. I'm planning a bit of a pamper session for her...and thought about, if she's up to it, taking her for a pedicure...as its a bit indulgent and I guess her feet feel very far away from her now, I thought a pedicure was less ''you need taking care of'' and more...''How about a treat?'':)

I've started to get her bedside basket ready with some of the lovely and practical suggestions from here

she won't need a wheelchair, in fact, the hospital are hoping she won't need a walking frame. they are hoping long term she won't need anything which is amazing, as my mother has been in wheelchairs or sticks since I was about 10 years old. For now the problem is mainly geting up and down from bed/sitting down and moving quickly, but she's told me sh'll be doing the can-can by summer.

She isn't as depressed as I feared, so hopefully it will be more fun and less ...tense...than I have been fearing.

Thank you all for the help.

tanith

Just a tip I learnt when I was recovering from hip surgery made doing my 'lying on the bed leg excercises' so much easier, put a plastic shopping bag under the foot/leg so that sliding the leg/foot up and down or side to side on the covers is so much simpler to do.. I hope your Mum has a swift and happy recovery

margaretclare

I noticed on the ward where DH was last week (urological surgery) they had big wipes. People are in there for such a short time, overnight usually - surgery on the morning list then home following afternoon - so they don't worry too much about washing, bathing, showering. What a good idea - the wipes I mean. No idea where you'd get them from.

Regarding bathing/showering with wound in leg. It's possible. DH had no knee joint for several weeks, leg in splint, then went back for another knee replacement. He came home following 4 weeks in hospital with no bath or shower, so we used a big black bin-bag. Necessity is the mother of invention. It's also possible to get things to put over leg - try disability shops.

I agree with Fen1. Lying around in bed is no good to man or beast. DH's cousin has just recovered from leukaemia, now in long-term remission, but his wife still takes him breakfast to bed and he's been home a month or two now!! I don't think I've ever had breakfast in bed more than once or twice in my life and DH certainly wouldn't want it.

sueeve

If you use a bin bag over wound for bathing etc a wrap of cling film next to the dressing will be double security.

lostinrates

margaretclare wrote: »

I don't think I've ever had breakfast in bed more than once or twice in my life and DH certainly wouldn't want it.

My mother is a very different person. I've known her spend full weeks in bed and normally nowadays I'd say she sleeps 14 ish hours out of 24. Hopefully after this period of recovery her pain will be lessened and she'll be happier.

Her bouyant mood of this morning isn't lasting well at the moment and that's to be expected. I'm bringing her here tomorrow.