One of the most challenging experiences people undergo is the recovery process associated with undergoing surgery. The sad reality is that many people struggle psychologically, emotionally, and physically as they undergo the recovery process. Getting the right amount and kind of support can help to alleviate the stresses that occur during recovery.
The type of support that you can provide to a loved one is dependent on the type of surgery they experience, but there are some general things you can do to help them recover such as to utilize the services of physical therapists in Rhode Island or in the city you reside in.
1) Day-To-Day Tasks
Regardless of the type of surgery they may have gotten, you can definitely help them by pickup a chore or two. One of the first things you can do is to prepare their home so that they can easily transition into it from the hospital. This could entail doing various things such as vacuuming, ensure that pets are fed and that droppings are cleaned, or even restocking their fridge. It could also mean that you should organize their medical supplies so that they can easily access them if you’re not around.
It’s worth noting that you should try to help them in this regard on an ongoing basis. Ideally, you want to stop by every now and then to pay a bill, cook meals, and help to administer their medication. In addition to that, consider the possibility of getting professional help if your work schedule does not allow you to be around as much as you like. For instance, a cleaning service can really help to make their recovery phase run more smoothly.
2) Emotional Support
As a result of their recovery process, they may have no choice but to remain indoors. This increased level of isolation can cause them to feel lonely, especially if they are somewhat of a social butterfly who craves real word connections. Studies also suggest that emotional health plays a critical role in how fast people recover from injuries and surgeries alike.
Based on the fact that their emotional health is critical at this stage, you should make the best effort to provide emotional support simply by being their shoulder to cry on. As your loved one undergoes pain, anxiety, and various degrees of stress, try to be understanding of what they are going through and communicate with them on an ongoing basis.
3) Technology
It’s a known fact that digital technology has helped to improve virtually every aspect of our lives. Technology can help during the recovery process too. When it comes to providing care for a loved one, it’s crucial that you get organized. Technologies such as Excel or any other spreadsheet software can help to track expenses related to care.
When it comes to interacting with multiple family members at once, establishing a Facebook group or group skype chat sessions can help to foster meaningful and supportive conversations. Meanwhile, calendar and scheduling apps can help to track tasks that need to be done and visitation dates.
4) Evaluate Discharge Instructions
A recent study which was conducted by Medscape showed that only 25% of patients truly understood what their discharge instructions entailed. Experts believe this number is frighteningly low because patients simply are not in the right frame of mind when they leave the hospital.
In some instances, they may have been given complex instruction which is a challenge for patients with low literacy skills. And, in most cases, they may have been given powerful pain relief medications. Most types of potent pain relief medications like Oxycodone and Percocet leave the user with a foggy mental state of mind. You can help to ensure that your loved one has a speedy and safe recovery by going over their discharge instructions with them so that they can fully understand what needs to be done and what needs to be avoided.
5) Entertain Them
A study which was published in the Journal of Psychological Science showed that you can reduce a patient’s perception of pain by distracting them. So, in addition to providing them with meaningful financial or emotional support, ensure that you sit and be the positive distraction they need.
This can mean reading a book, talking to them about family events of which you both share fond memories, watching a movie, or listening to music together. When it’s all said and done, positive distractions do more than just keep them happy; they will help to expedite the recovery process.