By Donata Finley-Boykin, Certified Health Education Specialist, Hult Center for Healthy Living
With an upcoming surgery that requires post-acute care, there’s a lot to prepare for outside of the actual surgery. Are you ready?
Sandy Vogel, Health Services Counselor at Lutheran Hillside Village Senior Living Community, sees both sides of the spectrum when it comes to preparedness. “For the most part, people are prepared, but it’s always great to have something at hand to help you cross off what you need to do before a surgery.” Through talking with REACH Short Stay Rehabilitation guests, Sandy has compiled a helpful list to make sure worry and stress aren’t a part of recovery.
In Your Suitcase
- Documents and paperwork (insurance cards, ID, a list of all current medications, telephone list of friends and family)
- Small amount of money
- Comfortable clothing and shoes (slip on shoes with backs are best)
- Small personal items
- Chargers (cellphone, computer, tablet)
- Something to do (books, movies, crossword puzzles)
- Eyeglasses and/or contacts
- Pen and Paper
- Toiletries
One Week Before
- Arrange with a friend or family member to check on your home including:
∙ Picking up the mail and newspapers.
∙ Watering plants and yard. - Alert neighbors that someone else will be coming in to check on your home.
- Review bill payment schedule and arrange for pre-payments for utilities, rent or mortgage, phone, etc.
- Arrange for pet care.
- Call your primary care doctor’s office to notify them of the surgery.
One Day Before
- Depending on the type of surgery, you might be directed to stop eating and drinking prior to your surgery. An empty stomach decreases the risks of anesthesia.
- Move indoor plants as required for shade or sun.
- Unplug any devices that might be damaged due to a power surge.
- Clean out the fridge of all items that will expire during your surgery and short-stay. rehabilitation. Nothing is worse than coming home to a stinky fridge.
- Give the spare key to whoever will be checking on your house.
- Turn on your email auto-response.
Morning of Surgery
- Depending on the season turn down/up your thermostat to save energy.
- Close and lock all doors and windows.
- Make sure all small appliances are turned off.
- If leaving cars in the garage, give a spare set of keys to a neighbor in case of a fire or emergency.
- Take out the garbage.
- If able to, put lights on a timer.
“Going into the hospital can be overwhelming,” said Sandy. “But just having this one tool to take the edge off and make things a little bit easier can make a big difference.”
Want to make your post-acute care from a qualified hospital stay easy? Lutheran Hillside Village offers REACH Short Stay Rehabilitation. With comfortable rooms and specialized, friendly staff members, you’ll be back home in no time! Call Sandy Vogel at 309-692-4600 for more information.
Photo credit: Lisay/iStock