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Preparing for Elder Care Before and After Heart Surgery

Elder Care in Sudbury MA

Financial Advisor Talking to CoupleHeart disease remains the leading cause of death among both men and women, and causes more than 610,000 deaths each year. Depending on the specific damage that has been done to their heart because of their heart disease and other health complications that they might be suffering, your parent’s doctor might recommend that they undergo heart surgery. Surgical procedures can help your parent’s heart in a variety of ways, from repairing damage to providing implants that assist in the functioning of the heart for improved operation.

Despite sounding intimidating, it is important to remember that heart surgery is extremely common throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the 51.4 million surgeries that are performed each year, more than 5 million of them are heart surgeries. Knowing this can help you and your aging parent feel more confident as your loved one approaches surgery.

On top of educating yourself about the frequency of the surgery and how it is handled, one of the most important things that you can do for your aging parent, and yourself, as they get closer to their surgery is preparing for care before and after their surgery. Having adequate support as your parent is preparing for their procedure and then after it is complete will help them to make the most of the benefits of this surgery and feel more confident moving forward.

Bringing in non-medical home care can be the ideal opportunity for you to accomplish this goal. A non-medical caregiver can provide a wide range of personalized services specifically tailored to help your parent get their mind and body ready for the procedure, and then to heal in the best way possible.

Some of the ways that preparing early for elder care can help enhance the benefits of this care include:

  • Finding the right non-medical caregiver for your parent. Some heart surgeries occur very quickly after the need is identified. For others, however, there is time to make arrangements prior to the procedure. If this is the case for your aging parent, this time gives both of you the opportunity to work together to find the ideal non-medical caregiver for your senior. This non-medical caregiver should have experience and skill, but also a personality, attitude, and care style that is compatible with your loved one.
  • Beginning a relationship. When it comes to your parent receiving care from a non-medical caregiver, it is important for you to remember that your parent is still an individual and that you are asking them to feel comfortable receiving assistance from a stranger. While many seniors respond well to professional care, it can still be somewhat uncomfortable for them in the beginning. Starting this care arrangement in the weeks leading up to the surgery allows your parent to begin a relationship with this non-medical caregiver. They can then feel more comfortable with them, which enables them to relax, comply with their care more willingly, and gain the benefits of companionship and emotional support.
  • Aid in compliance. Compliance is one of the most important concepts when it comes to getting the most out of any form of medical care or treatment. This is simply referring to your parent following through with the instructions given to them by their doctor, whether it is taking their medications on time, losing weight, eating a certain way, or not engaging in certain behaviors. An non-medical caregiver can help your parent to remain compliant through reminders and support that help them to get their body ready for the surgery, and then help it to heal once the procedure is over.

Source

http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

If you or an aging loved one are considering non-medical in-home care in Metrowest Boston, MA, call Griswold Home Care and speak to one of our caring staff members today. Call (781) 559-0073

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