Knee Replacement: How Can Your Senior Loved One Recover After Surgery?

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If your loved one recently underwent knee replacement surgery, you may have a number of concerns about their recovery. One of the concerns that may plague you is time. Although the surgery itself may not take long to perform, the recovery period may take some time to complete. During the recovery period, your loved one may experience a few things that could make it difficult for them to eat, move about, or feel comfortable at home. Here things you should know about your senior's knee replacement recovery. 

How Long Will Your Loved One Spend in Recovery?

Most joint replacement surgeries take several weeks to get through. Some seniors may require 12 weeks to heal, especially if the individual underwent a total knee or joint replacement procedure. Each week requires your loved one to reach a certain milestone, such as being able to ambulate with a crutch or use a cane. Your senior parent may also need to complete a detailed physical therapy program to reach their milestones. 

If your senior loved one expects to recover at home, you may need to install grab bar extensions inside the shower or near the toilet. The bars allow your loved one to stand up properly without placing extensive stress on the healing joints. You may also need to prepare healing foods for all three mealtimes, such as vitamin-C rich vegetables and fruit. Your senior's surgeon or physician may provide a meal plan for you to follow during the subsequent weeks. 

If you think it may be too difficult to meet demands during your loved one's recovery phase, consider placing your loved one into an assisted living rehabilitation center. 

Where Can Your Loved One Recover?

You may have some reservations about placing your loved one into an assisted living center (or facility) during their recovery phase. Although the center may seem frightening to some seniors, it may also be the best place to recover from extensive surgeries. Most assisted living facilities offer short and long-term rehabilitation services. The services often include in-house physical therapy knee replacement treatment.

In-house physical therapy for knee replacement may be better for your senior loved one than at-home treatment. Home therapists may need to work around your schedule, which may increase your loved one's recovery time. In-house therapists typically work throughout the day and into the evening with clients. The recovery time may be shorter for your loved one if they enlist into a knee replacement rehab program as well.

If your loved one needs help recovering from their knee replacement surgery, contact an assisted living center about knee replacement rehab today.

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