Preparing Your Elderly Parent for Heart Surgery

Home Health Care Salisbury NC

Surgical procedures related to the heart are very common among older adults. In fact, each year more than 500,000 coronary bypass surgeries, just one type of procedure for the heart, are performed throughout the United States. Heart surgery can address a wide variety of cardiovascular issues and help those who are afflicted with these issues continue living and maintain a higher quality of life as they do.

Despite this type of surgery being so common, it is also complex and can be dangerous, which means that if your elderly loved one needs to undergo such a procedure it is vital that they are as prepared as possible.

Use these tips to help prepare your elderly parent for heart surgery:

• Practice an aggression germ-control approach. Your parent’s body needs to be as strong and healthy as possible before undergoing surgery in order to make the procedure as safe as possible and hasten their recovery. In the time leading up to the surgery, increase germ control efforts to reduce the chances that they will develop any form of illness or infection, or have a compromised immune system the day of the procedure. Note that if they are ill on the day of surgery their procedure may need to be rescheduled. Be sure to keep your parent’s doctor informed of any changes in their health in the time leading up to the procedure.

• Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is extremely important to helping your parent achieve and maintain better health in their later years, but it is especially so if they are preparing to undergo heart surgery. Ask their doctor about safe and healthy ways that you can encourage your parent to quit smoking so that they are smoke-free for at least two weeks before the procedure. This will reduce the chances of breathing problems and blood clotting issues during and after the surgery.

• Start their healthy lifestyle. Heart surgery often harkens a time of change for older adults when they have to alter their lifestyle in order to protect their heart and their overall health. Starting this heart-healthy lifestyle before the surgery can help your parent to strengthen their body prior to the procedure, but also gets them accustomed to changes such as a new diet and being more active leading up to the surgery so that it is easier and smoother when they come home.

When your aging parent has to undergo surgery is an ideal time for them to have home health care in their lives. An in-home senior health care services provider can be there for your parent to help them get their body and mind ready for the procedure, and then be there for them afterwards to help them through their recovery and into their new lifestyle moving forward.

This can be extremely beneficial for your senior and for you as their family caregiver. The personalized support, care, assistance, and encouragement of a home care provider can help your parent to not only be prepared for their surgery if they are in their lives prior to the procedure, but can then support them in making the most of their recovery, avoiding potential dangers, and making the most of the lifestyle that the surgery affords after recovery. For you as their caregiver, this can give you peace of mind knowing that they are safe, comfortable, and getting what they need to achieve and maintain their best health during this potentially challenging time.

Sources:  http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Topics/Proced/
https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300442.pdf
https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Heart-Institute/Patient-Resources/Preparing-for-Cardiac-Procedures-and-Studies/Preparing-for-Heart-Surgery.aspx

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Salisbury NC, please contact the caring staff at Tender Hearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.