Recovering from a surgical operation is a challenging experience for many, but more so for older adults. The chances of post-surgery complications increase with age, making it vital that you are supported by a team of qualified professionals. By arranging full-time post-operative nursing care, you can recover in peace with all of the medical and personal support that you require.
Read on to discover more about how post-operative nursing care aids recovery, and why it might be the right choice for you.
Why Do You Need Post-Operative Nursing Care?
While the purpose of surgery is to heal the body and rectify issues, it is still an intrusion into the body, which takes time and energy to recover from. The recovery period varies depending on the individual and the procedure undertaken, but there will always be a significant period of downtime, especially for older adults.
Remember that surgical incisions are more than skin-deep. Even if a surgical scar appears to heal relatively quickly on your skin, there are other tissues deeper into the body that need time to recover to full strength. Over-exerting yourself too early can cause damage or lengthen your recovery time.
Post-operative nursing care is full-time support from qualified nurses ready to attend to your medical needs. Depending on the plan laid out by your surgery team, you may require bed rest or to limit your movement, meaning you’ll need extra support. NHS guidelines suggest having another adult present to assist you for a minimum of 24 hours after receiving a general anaesthetic or an epidural. Depending on the recommendations laid out in your discharge assessment, you may need help for longer than this.
The Loveday clinical team is equipped to deliver post-operative nursing care for even the most complex discharges and carry out detailed care plans with compassion and professionalism. Your medical needs will be fully attended to by our experts while you relax in peace and comfort at one of our luxurious residences.
What Does Post-Operative Nursing Care Provide?
Day-to-Day Care
Staying in a nursing care home ensures you receive round-the-clock clinical support to ensure your recovery proceeds smoothly. Your dedicated nurses will help manage your medication, monitor vital signs like blood pressure, and assist you with the use of medical equipment.
Nursing staff and the broader care team can also help with needs beyond the purely medical. They can assist with your mobility, getting out of bed, and navigating the residence. This enables you to maintain your independence and decide how you wish to spend your recovery time. Whereas at home, you may need to wait for carers to arrive to receive the same assistance.
Living in a dedicated facility also means you can benefit from in-house hospitality. Luxury care homes, like Loveday’s residences, provide restaurant-quality meals to residents as part of their stay. Diet is essential for promoting recovery, and our kitchen team will tailor the menu to best suit you.
Wound Care
Beyond your routine requirements, the incision from the surgery will also need to be carefully managed. This is not a passive process, and a wound must be cared for diligently to ensure the best possible recovery outcome. The timeline for healing varies depending on the individual and the type of surgery. The initial closing of the incision can take between four and thirty days. After that, the skin will continue to repair and thicken over the course of two to three weeks after the surgery.
By staying in a clean, controlled, and hygienic environment, you can reduce the risk of complications and speed recovery. All of our suites are carefully maintained to ensure the highest levels of cleanliness, and you’ll have the continual support of our clinical team. They’ll be available to change the dressing regularly and keep the incision area clean and dry, which mitigates scarring and lowers infection risk.
Managing a Drain
A drain is a narrow tube which removes fluid from the surgery site, which may be fitted as part of your surgery. Trained nursing staff can measure the collected fluid and dispose of it as part of your regular care, saving you the effort and allowing you to focus on recovery. As clinical experts, they will also be able to quickly identify if the drainage is healthy and regular for your surgery and the stage of your recovery. If anything points to potential complications, they’ll quickly identify it and recommend a solution. Eventually, the drain will no longer be required, and your nurses will coordinate with the surgical team to arrange its removal.
Exercise and Activity
Rest is essential for promoting recovery post-surgery. However, too much time spent stationary in bed can lead to fatigue, muscle atrophy, and even blood clots.
Our clinical time can guide you through gentle exercises to increase blood flow and boost your energy levels. The nursing team will be on-hand to assist you and help with any elements of your mobility that you still find challenging. This could involve moving certain parts of the body, exercising a specific joint, or taking gentle walks.
Your surgical team may even recommend physiotherapy as part of your care plan, especially for operations like hip or knee replacements, which is essential for a full recovery. Luxury post-operative nursing care providers like Loveday have in-house physiotherapists. They will guide you through a series of specialised exercises to restore mobility and promote recovery in the targeted area.
Psychological recovery
Recovering from surgery can be an isolating experience. You will likely experience reduced energy and mobility, making it difficult to maintain your routine.
Staying in a specially designed luxury care home, like Loveday’s residences, can ease this. Our sophisticated residences are outfitted with accessibility measures and private suites to aid the recovery of our residents. You’ll receive dedicated care from our in-house nursing team and benefit from the range of amenities and experiences on offer.
Our philosophy revolves around delivering industry-leading care in a non-intrusive manner. Your post-operative recovery will be expertly managed while you enjoy an uplifting and sophisticated lifestyle.
Post-Operative Nursing Care with Loveday
Recover in style and comfort at one of our luxury residences. Every resident at Loveday, whether they stay long-term or only briefly for short post-surgery recovery, benefits from our elevated level of service. Care plans and experiences are tailored to the individual to promote wellbeing and healing and delivered with compassion and professional excellence.
To find out more about arranging your post-surgery stay, contact Loveday today and arrange a private tour of one of our luxury residences.
To get in touch, call 02045304700 or sign up for our newsletter using the form below.
