If your elderly loved one has elbow surgery coming up, preparing now for his recovery will reduce stress and increase his ability to heal quickly and without complications. Here are a few tips you should know and how 24-hour home care can help.

What is Elbow Surgery (often called Tennis Elbow Surgery)

Surgery for tennis elbow is usually a final option to help your loved one reduce his pain and increase the range of motion. Caused by repetitive motion (commonly playing tennis but can have other causes as well), the tendons in the forearm become inflamed or tear, making some movements impossible for your loved one to make without extreme pain. While it does come with some risk, most surgeries for tennis elbow are more than 80 percent effective at increasing range of motion as well as reducing pain levels.

Preparing the Home for Your Loved One’s Recovery

Since your senior will spend several weeks in a sling and be directed to not use the arm that had the surgery, he is going to need some direct help in taking care of many daily tasks. The easiest way to ensure that he can both rest and recuperate from his surgery is to have his home ready for his return, as well as have care set up to step in and help around the home.

Home Recovery Preparation Tips

• Have a well-equipped rest area. Your loved one will need to rest after his surgery, so having a comfortable place for him to relax in, perhaps watching some movies or his favorite TV series, and having his comfort items within reach of his good arm is important for a comfortable recovery area. A lounge chair can be a great place to rest during the day, just make sure it has a table on the correct side where he can reach what he needs.
• Purchase ice packs. His arm will need to be routinely put on ice to reduce swelling. Having several cold packs on hand that can be rotated will ensure he has what he needs to put on his elbow and forearm as directed.
• Plan for easy-to-eat meals. Your loved one will not be able to use one of his hands, so don’t plan on steak for dinner unless you have someone there to cut it up for him. Soup may be great if his non-dominant arm had the surgery, but if it’s his dominant arm, he might be able to maneuver a spoon to his mouth as easily with his weaker hand.
• Have 24-hour Home Care Help Available. Your loved one will need help bathing, using the bathroom, grooming and so much more during those initial weeks of recovery. He will also need assistance with transportation since he won’t be able to drive with one hand in a sling. If you are unable to stay with your loved one or he is unable to stay with you, you might consider having a 24-hour home care team come to his home to stay with him as he recovers. A 24-hour home care team can assist at all hours with bathroom help, meal prep, and transportation needs. They’ll be there to ensure your loved one receives the care he needs to recover fully and on schedule.

Before your loved one knows it, he’ll be back in the swing of things, able to use his elbow and arm to enjoy his favorite pastimes.

Reference
https://www.healthline.com/health/tennis-elbow-surgery#success-rate

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Denton, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care today! (940) 310-3105

Ray of Sunshine Senior Care Provides Senior Home Care Services in Denton, Lewisville, Gainesville, Keller, Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Southlake, Valley View, Aubrey, Frisco, Corinth, Argyle, Roanoke, Counties: Denton County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and surrounding areas.

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Cynthia Ferris

Owner at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care

Cynthia has a long history of serving others. As she and her husband traveled the US and overseas while he served in the military, Cynthia worked in a variety of public service positions with city governments and non-profits. After her husband retired, they returned to the DFW area to be closer to family. As an only child, Cynthia was preparing to help care for her aging parents but was stunned when both parents were diagnosed with cancer.

At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.

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