5 tips on caring for a loved one after a hip replacement

If a loved one has had a hip replacement, you’ll no doubt want to lend a hand to make their recovery easier and as pain-free as possible. From facilitating medical appointments to providing emotional and physical support and making sure your patient feels as comfortable as he/she can, you can play an important role in the recovery process.

These are the top 5 things you can do to help a loved one recovering from a hip replacement.

1. Prepare ahead of the surgery.

One of the best things you can do to make the transition home easy is to prepare ahead. This can be as simple as cleaning up so there’s no fall hazards in the house and ensuring there are comfortable rest chairs available, or even installing grab rails to make showering easier.

2. Help your loved one through their rehabilitation exercises.

Recovering from a hip replacement can be an emotionally and physically demanding process. Your loved one will be given exercises to follow to help get their new hip moving again. The best thing you can do is support your loved one through their exercises, encourage their achievements and ensure they aren’t overexerting themselves so they don’t cause further injury to their hip.