Protecting an Elderly Loved One

Three Types Of Surgery That May Require In-Home Nursing Care If You Live Alone

by Margie Adams

For the most part, people only think of in-home nursing care as something for the elderly. However, in-home nursing is a service that is available for everyone, regardless of what their age may be. In fact, if you have certain types of surgery that require a lengthy recovery period at home, there is a good chance that your doctor will recommend in-home nursing care, especially if you live by yourself. Here is a look at some of the types of surgery that may require you to have in-home nursing care to help you along during your recovery process: 

Spinal Fusion Surgery 

Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure that involves implanting a grafted bone into your spinal column and securing it with temporary or permanent pieces to fuse certain vertebrae together. The recovery process after spinal fusion surgery can be lengthy, but it will also require that you don't put any excess pressure on the surgical site with regular activities. You will most often be required to wear a brace to stabilize the fused section of your spine, but there will be some things you simply will not be able to do on your own. For example, just bending over to slip on shoes in those first few days at home can be a challenge. 

Cesarean 

Having a baby by cesarean is not an easy feat. In fact, because this is not the natural way to deliver, your body does not bounce back as quickly as it does when you deliver vaginally. When you get home from the hospital, you will likely still have staples or stitches at the incision site and will need some help moving about and doing certain things. For example, the dressing that is placed at the surgical site should be changed, the wound cleaned, and antibiotic ointment applied to encourage proper healing. This can be really hard to achieve on your own when you are living alone. 

Knee Replacement Surgery 

Knee replacement surgery is common among people of varying age groups. While you should be able to get around okay when you initially return home after surgery, you will still need help with things that require you to bend or stoop, such as showering and getting dressed. Plus, it will be important for you to follow the routine of exercises that the doctor requires on a regular basis to retain mobility with your knee as it heals. Therefore, having an in-home nurse will be important for your recovery process. 

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