Recovering from surgery involves not only healing but also ensuring safety in your environment to prevent falls and accidents. Post-surgery patients are at increased risk due to factors like reduced mobility, medication side effects, and general physical weakness. Implementing effective fall prevention strategies is crucial to avoid complications that can delay recovery and cause further health issues.

New Century Home Care is dedicated to guiding patients through a safe recovery process with specific measures tailored to prevent falls in various environments.

The Impact of Falls After Surgery

Falls after surgery can significantly complicate the recovery process. Experiencing a fall can lead to additional injuries such as fractures or head trauma, which may not only increase pain but also potentially extend hospital stays. More profoundly, falls often instill a fear of falling again.

This fear can be debilitating, causing patients to limit their activities which in turn diminishes their strength and mobility further, severely hampering the recovery process. Therefore, ensuring safety in the home and other environments is crucial not only to protect physical health but also to preserve confidence in mobility.

Falls and Fall Prevention After Surgery

Recovering from surgery often requires making temporary lifestyle adjustments to create a safe living environment. Ensuring that your home is equipped to prevent falls involves several thoughtful modifications and practices.

Bedroom:

• Ensure your path from the bed to the bathroom is clear of obstacles.
• Use night lights to illuminate paths clearly during nighttime.
• Keep essentials like water, your phone, and medications within easy reach of your bed.

Living Room:

• Rearrange furniture to create clear walkways.
• Remove loose rugs or secure them with non-slip backings.
• Keep cords and other tripping hazards tucked away or secured.

Bathroom:

• Install grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower.
• Use a shower chair and non-slip bath mats to prevent slips in wet areas.
• Consider higher toilet seats to make sitting and standing easier.

Preventing Falls After Surgery in Your Yard

• Level Paths: Ensure that all walking paths are even and free of obstacles like gardening tools or debris.
• Proper Lighting: Install motion-sensor lights along pathways and near entryways to improve visibility at night.
• Secure Railings: Check that all railings on steps and around porches are stable and secure to provide support.

PREVENTING FALLS IN THE HOSPITAL

• Personal Assistance: Always ask for help from hospital staff when you need to get up or move around, especially just after surgery when you’re likely to be weakest.
• Proper Footwear: Wear non-slip socks or footwear when walking, even short distances.
• Awareness of Environment: Be aware of potential hazards such as wet floors, and use assisted devices like walkers or canes as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Preventing falls after surgery is a critical component of the recovery process. Taking proactive steps to create a safe environment in your home, yard, and even during a hospital stay can significantly reduce the risk of falls and help ensure a smoother and quicker recovery.

At New Century Home Care, we are committed to supporting our clients through comprehensive care plans that address these safety concerns. Remember, the key to effective recovery is not only the care received during surgery but also how well you protect your health afterwards.