Why recovery at home after surgery is better

October 7, 2021

Many studies have shown that patients recover better at home after surgery. There are several reasons for this. Here are some of the benefits of recovering from surgery at home.

Benefits of recovering from surgery at home

We all feel more relaxed and happier at home. Hospitals can be noisy and distressing places, and the unfamiliar routines of nursing homes can be stressful. You are better able to recover when you are not anxious or stressed and this is most likely to be at home.
Family and friends can visit at any time without having to stick to visiting hours.
It’s easier to get a good night’s sleep at home as you are in a quiet environment and sleeping in your own bed. Getting sufficient rest and sleep will help you recover more quickly.
You are less at risk of picking up an infection at home. You will be cared for by the same carer rather than a constantly changing team. The only other people you will encounter are those you welcome into your home, such as family, friends and health professionals.
You will be able to adapt routines to suit you, such as eating what you want, resting when you feel tired and exercising when you feel ready to.

How to Plan for Recovery at Home After Surgery

If you are planning on recovering at home after surgery, there are a few things to bear in mind. Follow these tips to make sure you have everything you need for a speedy recovery.

Make sure you understand the surgery you are having and ask any questions you might have about your recovery

Some questions you might ask include:

Will I need to stay in bed for a certain time?
Can I bathe or shower or do I need to keep my wound dry for a certain time?
Will someone come to change my dressing?
What medications do I need to take?
Can I take over the counter pain medication?
When should I start exercising?
Are there any specific exercises I should do to help my recovery?

Have any necessary changes made to your home

There may be some adaptations that need to be made to your home to prepare for your recovery.

You should ensure that you have clear walkways in your home and that everything is well lit to help prevent trips or falls. Remove any rugs or trailing wires. You may need extra equipment such as handrails or a shower seat and these should be in place before your surgery. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure what equipment you might need.

Mumby’s can help you to plan for your recovery. We will provide you with a detailed and free care assessment of your condition and your wishes before your procedure. A tailor-made care plan will be ready to ensure your optimum return to health when you leave the hospital.

Will I need a carer or nursing care when I come home?

You will need some extra support after your surgery. You may need someone to help you with personal care, cook meals or provide other care. Family, friends and health professionals can help; however, you may benefit from having a post-operative carer while your recover. This can help you recover more quickly as a carer can make you healthy meals, help you with exercises and much more. If you have no one to help after surgery, then a carer can provide you with all the necessary health care and support required. This will help you relax and concentrate on your recovery without any stress or worry. A carer can also care for your spouse or family member at home whilst you are in hospital and during your recovery if needed. Mumby’s live-in carers are highly skilled in caring for vulnerable people such as those with dementia or Parkinson’s. You can rest assured that we will do everything we can to support you and your family based on your individual needs.

Mumby’s post-operative care

At Mumby’s, we can provide nurse-led post-operative care for anyone who requires care at home after surgery. Our specialist carers will work with other health professionals to create and execute a plan for your recovery.

You can arrange post-operative care in advance of your loved one’s surgery, so everything is in place when they need it. We can also provide care at short notice if the need arises.

Our post-operative carers can:

Proactively manage and continuously monitor and support your recovery at home
Liaise with other health professionals to follow your care plan including doctors, physio’s and occupational therapists
undertake wound care and redressing and arrange for clips and stitches to be removed to prevent infection
Administer medication correctly
Take care of catheters and colostomy bags
Follow medical and lifestyle advice to help the patient recover quickly
Provide post-operative recovery support and encouragement with exercise and movement
Provide support with personal care
Looking after your home and pets
Keeping in touch with your family
Take care of shopping and cooking favourite and nutritious meals
Bringing you a cup of tea in bed.

After Surgery Home Care Cost

We will confirm the weekly cost of our nurse-led post-operative live-in care for your loved one once we have conducted a free, thorough and without obligation assessment of their care needs.

If you have any concerns about recovering from surgery at home contact us to speak to one of our friendly team members. They will explain all aspects of post-operative care and outline what we at Mumby’s can offer. You can call us free on 0800 505 3511 to find out more.