A relative is having a hip replacement and I wish to help. Any ideas?

Question

A relative is having a hip replacement and will be bed bound until the rehab kicks in. Has anyone experience of this in the family or friends.

Answer 1

Bed-bound is unusual after hip replacement surgery since typically the patient is asked to get out of bed, stand, and walk a few steps within a day or two of surgery. The reason for encouraging early ambulation is to avoid blood clots forming in the leg veins with potential for breaking off and going to the lung. This is called a pulmonary embolism and, untreated, is fatal. So I am surprised that you say she will be bed bound unless there are other factors about her health that you didn't reveal.

Anyway, you asked how you could help. There are many ways to help. If she is at home, offer to run errands, fix meals, visit her when she feels up to it, help do housework, bring her books and magazines to read. I had hip replacement and I didn't necessarily want a lot of visitors the first week or two because I was so tired and having company just wore me out. After that, however, when I started to feel better and look better but was still house-bound and couldn't drive, I really appreciated every chance to visit with someone, go for short rides in the car, even go out to lunch. Once I was released to drive (at about 5 weeks) I was free to go wherever I wanted to and didn't need much help.

Answer 2

My mother had a total hip replacement. They aren't bed bound they usually have the person up walking around the day of the surgery. This is what we did for my mother. We got a twin size bed and put it in the front room. We made her meals and brought them to her cause they have to use a walker for a while. Also your probably going to have to trim there toe nails cause they won't be able to bend like that for a long time. For the most part they can take care of them selves it is just slow going. The bed in the front room is so that she could socialize and watch tv because they have to stay laying down or walking for sometime I remeber even when my mom could sit in a chair she had to put a cushion under her butt check for a long time. It is nice of you to want to help.

Answer 3

Not a hip replacement, but anytime someone is bed bound as I was with two pregnancies, anything you could do to help would work. What was done for me was a small cooler was packed with healthy snacks and drinks for me and placed next to my bed so I had easy access. Put the magazines and books they'd like to read within reach. If they like television or a computer, make sure it is in close proximity to the bed. Offer to do other things like foot massages, comb their hair, play card games with them, things like that.

Answer 4

They will probably spend 7-10 days in the hospital, in a transitional care facility to get over the therapy and then go home. They will have to go to therapy from home. Taking them if possible would be a big help. The therapy may wear them out for awhile so checking on them frequently would also be nice. There will also be follow-up doctor visits that they will have to keep and it's always good to see a friendly face during the day.

Answer 5

Yes. At first people are tired from the op so keep visits short and sweet and take stuff they'll need; cash, change for the phone, mini cartons of Ribena from the fridge, magazines. Offer to help with their laundry.
Later people get bored. So try to have something to chat about when you go. Bring books and magazines and ask if theres anything you can bring, they might fancy something like a sausage roll that they just can't get.
When they leave hospital, help with housework, shopping, cooking, laundry and gardening might be appreciated.
Then they want to get back on their feet and be independant again, and you need to back off and just be there for them.
I'm sure you'll be appreciated.

Answer 6

Depending on the person's overall condition, your relative may be out of bed a lot faster than you think. My uncle was about 75 when he had it done. He was up and walking within a few days. You can help by being supportive and positive. Its really up to the individual.

Answer 7

Yes. The first few days are the worst. You need to establish a balance between helping your relative moving but not doing anything too onerous or potentially damaging (i.e. lifting or twisting). We helped move my aunt from a house with steep stairs into a flat not long afterwards, and that has really changed her life for the better. Good luck.

Answer 8

A relative is having a hip replacement and I wish to help. Any ideas?
it's great you want to help ok but you will probably get in the surgeons way, yes ok you could pass him the odd screwdriver etc but no your best waiting in the waiting room, the surgeons wont think you were very unhelpfull at all,these guys know what their doing, simply offer your help tell them you are in the waiting room should you need me.

Answer 9

Make one dish quick meals ready to cook from freezer. Offer to run errands to the drug store groceries etc. Help with stuff around the house laundry etc. Make sure the house is straight for there homecoming. And in general ask what you can help with. It's little stuff like reaching for the remote or a glass of water.
good luck to you and your relative.

Answer 10

all the above were really good ideas, but also if the relative is being taken care of my another family member or friend offer to "babysit" or hold down the fort while that person can get a break. caregiving can be extremely stressful.