Regardless of age, surgery takes a huge toll on the body. Most people who undergo surgeries tend to need round-the-clock care and attention. Now, when it comes to elderly individuals, surgery care becomes much more extensive and elaborate. Since elderly individuals’ bodies and immunities are weaker than those of young adults, older individuals require more care and precision post-surgery. When it comes to older adults, seniors require special and more extensive attention due to factors like slow healing time, heightened risk of complications, and underlying chronic conditions.
These are the reasons behind a holistic unit of care toward the postoperative period in elderly adults. Elderly adults demand more extensive care because elderly adults are more prone to postoperative complications owing to deteriorated immunity and weak bodies. Thus, caregivers should be quite observant of their technique while providing postoperative care. Such postoperative guidelines seem to be a bit of an elaboration and a long list, but they certainly are something one cannot afford to ignore. With proper care and attention, most elderly patients suffer from minimal pain and hardships during surgeries.
Here are some steps you can implement in your elderly loved ones’ lives after their surgery. The following steps will allow them to be at the top of their health after undergoing surgery. Moreover, through these important ways, you can avoid post-surgery complications and ensure that your elderly loved ones stay fit.
Post-Surgery Guidelines that Elderly Individuals Must Follow
Post-surgery guidelines are some rules that should be followed to attain optimal health results and avoid complications. These guidelines are ideal for seniors and tailored to their needs. Read further to know some post-surgery guidelines that elderly individuals must follow:
Patients Must Adhere to Medicines
Follow Course of Medicines: A senior should strictly take only the exact prescribed amounts of prescribed medication, such as painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, elderly patients must remember to take their medicines on time and maintain a proper routine.
Follow-up Appointments: Follow-up appointments are essential for post-surgery care. Elderly patients must be vigilant about their routine and remember to attend all follow-up health checkups. Moreover, elderly individuals can also be admitted to nursing care home facilities for more strengthened care.
Note Wound Care Guidelines: Per the surgeon’s request, keep the surgical site dry and clean. Specific direction about dressing changes; monitoring for signs of potential infection, such as redness, swelling, or drainage. Any changes in the body must aptly be reported and should not be ignored under any circumstances.
Watch for Complications
Infection: Check for redness, swelling, warmth, pus at the site, and pain. Another sign of infection is a fever. Be wary of observing all changes that may be occurring in your elderly loved one’s body since the surgery. Old patients usually dismiss the signs of an infection; thus, careful observation by caregivers is necessary to provide proper care to the surgical site.
Blood Clots: Old people are prone to the medical condition DVT, which is deep vein thrombosis. Some of the symptoms include swelling in the leg, pain, and reddening. Whenever your elderly person complains of sudden chest pain and says it is hard to breathe, rush your elderly one to the emergency room because it could be due to pulmonary embolism.
Dehydration: Liquids should always be adequate, but especially post-surgery. On other days, dehydration can even lead to confusion, weakness, or fragility. Older people don’t possess an effectively resilient immune system so need not be compromised further. So, make sure that plenty of liquid is provided throughout the day to keep them hydrated. Plus, the caregivers can even use fresh juices with medical consultation.
Delirium or Changes in Mental Status: Some older adults develop transient confusion after surgery, known as postoperative delirium. Be sure to report any change in mental status to the healthcare provider. It is imperative to keep a complete check on not just their physical needs but also their mental condition. Any sign of negative changes arising during the post-surgery period should be reported to the doctors immediately.
Maintain Nutrition and Physical Activity
High-Protein Diet: Protein is required for the repair of tissues and the healing of wounds. The presence of lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, and nuts indicates adequate amounts of protein in the diet. After any surgery, individuals require proper protein intake to repair damaged tissues and heal wounds. In fact, elderly individuals need it more. So, make sure to provide your senior loved ones with a protein-rich diet.
Light Exercise: The light physical activity suggested by doctors varies with the kind of surgery done. For instance, a little walk to ensure a proper circulation level is not out of consideration, as stagnation leads to blood clotting. However, before engaging your older loved ones in physical exertion, make sure to consult their doctor. Additionally, you can also opt for home health care attendants to help your senior loved one with their exercise routine.
Fiber-Rich Foods: Post-surgical medications, especially painkillers, cause constipation. A diet containing whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, along with adequate fluid intake, can prevent this complication. Moreover, because painkillers cause so much discomfort to the stomach, introducing mild yet nutritious food items are essential.
Physiotherapy: Many elderly patients need proper physiotherapy to regain strength, movement, and coordination. This is especially important after surgeries that involve major joints or movements, such as a hip or cardiac procedure.