DID YOU KNOW...
  • Most of the discomfort occurs in the first 12 hours after surgery.
  • Remove any obstacles in your home that may cause a fall.
  • It is important to get back in to daily activity as soon as possible as well as making sure you stick to the post-surgery exercise programme recommended by your surgeon to ensure a rapid recovery.

Patient & Carer

Home Safety

Kitchen

kitchen

Preparing for the return home can help make recovery less stressful and more productive. Before surgery, it is helpful to prepare single serving meals and freeze them for later use. It may also be helpful to purchase disposable plates and silverware to reduce the amount of clean-up required.
If patients must prepare meals, it is recommended that they gather everything they will need at once, sit on a stool, and prepare the meal in one place. This will also help reduce the amount of standing and walking so patients don‘t get fatigued.

  • DO NOT get down on your knees to scrub floors. Use a mop and long-handled brushes.
  • Plan ahead! Gather all your cooking supplies at one time. Then, sit to prepare your meal.
  • Place frequently used cooking supplies and utensils where they can be reached without too much bending or stretching.
  • To provide a better working height, use a high stool, or put cushions on your chair when preparing meals.

Bathroom

A shower chair can also assist patients while bathing. Being able to sit while bathing helps ease stress on the joint and can make it easier to wash the legs.

  • DO NOT get down on your knees to scrub the bathtub. Use a mop and long-handled brushes.
  • Make sure raised toilet seat is secure.
  • Do Not use towel bars to steady yourself. A towel bar is not able to support your weight. If it breaks, you will fall.
  • Use non-skid strips in the bathtub to prevent slips.
  • Use shower chair as instructed by the occupational therapist.

Safety and avoiding falls

  • Pick up throw rugs and tack down loose carpeting.
  • Cover slippery surfaces with carpets that are firmly anchored to the floor or that have non-skid backs.
  • Be aware of all floor hazards such as pets, small objects, or uneven surfaces.
  • Provide good lighting throughout. Install nightlights in the bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways.
  • Keep extension cords and telephone cords out of pathways. DO NOT run wires under rugs; this is a fire hazard.
  • DO NOT wear open toe slippers or shoes without backs. They do not provide adequate support and can lead to slips and falls.
  • Sit in chairs with arms. This makes rising easier.
  • Rise slowly from either a sitting or lying position so as not to get light headed.
  • DO NOT lift heavy objects for the first three months and then only with your surgeon‘s permission.
  • Stop and think. Use good judgment.


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