If your loved one has received the all-clear to return home after a serious surgery, you might feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. While you likely cannot wait for their discharge, you might worry about how you’ll support their needs at home.
As you’ll want to help someone you love make a swift recovery or adapt to their new circumstances, you might be eager to find ways to improve their comfort and support at home. If so, read the following tips on how to prepare your home for a loved one’s return after surgery.
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Talk to Their Care Team
Before your loved one is discharged from the hospital, speak to their care team about their expected recovery time, mobility restrictions, and any equipment they might need to recover comfortably at home.
Discuss whether your family member can:
- Climb stairs
- Bend over
- Lift objects
- Take showers or baths alone
If more support is needed, request to speak to an occupational or physical therapist to discuss your home’s setup and equipment requirements.
Create a Safe and Supportive Path
Try to view your home from your loved one’s perspective post-surgery. For instance, you might need to remove clutter, loose cords, or unsecured rugs, as they could pose a trip hazard.
Rearrange furniture in a room to create wider paths for a wheelchair, crutches, or a walker. You may also need to install handrails or grab bars to make it easier for your family member to move freely across the home, get out of bed, or use the bathroom independently.
Consider the Stairs
Think carefully about how your loved one will use the stairs once they return home and discuss whether they can safely do so with their care team. If they’re unable to walk up and down stairs, you may need to create a bedroom on the first floor.
If they can walk up and down stairs, aim to limit their trips by keeping their daily essentials close by and ensure someone is near when they need to use the stairs. If your loved one’s health needs have changed, and the stairs will become too difficult to manage, a residential elevator could make it easier to move between floors, improving their quality of life at home.
Offer a Comfortable Space for Recovery
After a major surgery, your loved one will likely look forward to relaxing comfortably at home, especially as fatigue is common after general anesthesia. If possible, create a restful bedroom close to a bathroom and the main living area.
It might be helpful to provide a bed and chair height that’s easy for your family member to get in and out of each day and night. A bedside table is also a great way to store various daily essentials, such as medication, their smartphone, charger, glasses, tissues, water, and a good book.
Improve Bathroom Safety
Speak to your loved one’s care team about any bathroom support they might require at home, as they may recommend:
- Shower chair
- Raised toilet seat
- Handheld showerhead
- Grab bars
Think about how your loved one will use the space and keep toiletries and towels within reach to prevent them from overstretching, bending, or slipping in the bathroom.
