Author: Tanuparna Sanyal

10 Tips for Hip Replacement Recovery for Seniors
Successful recovery from hip replacement surgery hinges upon a comprehensive recovery strategy. A proactive approach to the recovery process is especially the case for seniors, as they are particularly susceptible to infections and complications. Below are ten tips to facilitate hip replacement recovery for seniors.
1. Outline a recovery strategy before surgery: Do not wait until after your hip replacement surgery to start planning a recovery strategy. The recovery process is more likely to proceed smoothly and without incident for seniors if a comprehensive recovery plan is developed prior to surgery.
2. Ensure that the recovery area is completely clean: A clean recovery environment plays a vital role in preventing infection. Prior to surgery, ensure that all sheets and bedding are freshly laundered and that all dirt, dust, and debris have been removed from the floor and furnishings. Thoroughly clean bathrooms and ensure that there is an ample supply of clean, lint-free towels and wash cloths.
3. Make a commitment to attend all aftercare appointments: Follow-up care is vital to a successful recovery. Failure to participate in physical therapy sessions and post-surgical medical care appointments can delay recovery for seniors. Be sure to mark all appointments on a calendar and secure assistance with travel arrangements well in advance.
4. Create a clear path inside the home or recovery area: A crowded, cluttered recovery environment can be hazardous to seniors after hip surgery. Conduct a complete walk-through of the home to ensure that all clutter, cables, cords, and debris have been removed from the floor. Make sure that floors are kept clean of spillage and moisture to help prevent slips and falls.
5. Exercise extreme care when changing dressings or bandages: In many cases, a family member, friend, or caregiver will provide assistance with dressing changes. If possible, caregivers should receive instructions on cleaning the incision and surrounding area from a trained medical professional prior to the patient’s discharge.
6. Take all medications as directed: This is especially important for seniors who are already taking multiple prescription medications. Special attention should be paid to the consumption of pain medications. Failure to take pain medications with sufficient frequency can lead to discomfort and a miserable recovery process, while overconsumption of pain medication can foster dependence.
7. Resist the urge to do too much too soon: Maintaining a realistic view of the recovery process is vital to a safe recovery. While it may be tempting to want to try to navigate steps, drive, or travel, seniors must proceed with caution in order to reduce the risk of injury or complications.
8. Postpone sexual activity until after a successful recovery: Engaging in sexual activity too soon following hip replacement surgery may hinder the recovery process. In general, specialists recommend waiting six to twelve weeks before engaging in sexual intercourse after surgery.
9. Strive to maintain your overall health: Recovery from hip replacement surgery is optimized when seniors remember to focus on maintaining all aspects of their physical and mental well-being. Remember to coordinate with the patient’s primary care provider and seek medical care promptly if any signs of physical illness or depression arise.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Seniors should be encouraged to seek help from loved ones and caregivers when pain, depression, and illness arise following hip replacement surgery. Seniors should also have immediate access to their medical care providers in case complications arise.
Please contact us for more tips to help seniors experience a prompt recovery from hip replacement surgery. Our team of professionals is familiar with the challenges facing seniors who are recovering from surgery. We look forward to providing seniors with the support and guidance they need to enjoy a speedy recovery and regain their full mobility.
September 30, 2017
Recovering After Open Heart Surgery

Many people have open heart surgery every year. Although it is a life-saving technique used to repair or replace arteries, repair damages to the heart, implant medical devices, or even replace the heart with a donor heart, it is a major operation that requires the chest to be opened and for a machine to take over the actions of the heart so the muscle can remain still for the surgeon to work. Naturally, this requires a recovery process that can take a few weeks or even months after your time in the hospital.

WebMD outlines several aspects to the open heart surgery recovery process:

Wound Care

A doctor can explain how to care for the wound; in general, it must be kept dry and clean. Rehabilitation specialists can perform the required cleaning and monitoring for you, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you’re getting it right. They will recognize a separation in the wound and know when drainage is excessive, and they can help you get the correct care if you run a fever or experience a popping sound in your breast bone when you move.

Pain Relief

A prescription for pain medication will help you manage most of it. Exercise can diminish the stiffness and soreness that can be common if your surgeon needed your leg veins as grafts in a heart bypass surgery. The skilled therapists at an open heart surgery recovery facility can help you develop an appropriate exercise routine that will aid your recovery without straining your recently repaired heart.

Activity

Your rehabilitation team can help you identify appropriate activity and slowly increase the intensity and duration according to your health and progress. Therapists also offer motivation and encouragement to stick with the process, which can be challenging after a few weeks.

Diet

A healthy diet is key to staying well and recovering from open heart surgery or any other operation or illness. Rehabilitation specialists can help you choose the right foods and develop a plan for you to follow, so you don’t have any of those days when you run out of groceries or when you think, “I don’t know what to make!” For inpatients, you don’t need to think about meals at all! It’s all taken care of for you.

Emotional Well-Being

Recovering from open heart surgery requires you to slow down. For several weeks, you might not be able to live the lifestyle you were used to, since you might be experiencing some discomfort and you won’t be able to drive, lift heavy objects, or stand in one place for more than 15 minutes. This can take a toll on your emotions, which is natural, but by knowing it could happen, you can take some steps to overcome it.

Talk with your rehabilitation therapists about how you feel. They can offer support and advice on ways to boost your morale, including short visits with friends, hobbies, and funny movies. Simply being a part of the rehab program in a heart surgery recovery facility puts you in a positive, encouraging environment surrounded by caring, compassionate professionals and other people who are going through similar medical experiences.

Rest

Sleeping can be challenging for some people after surgery. However, not getting enough sleep can result in irritability, apathy, and impaired memory, which won’t help you in your recovery process. Your rehabilitation specialists can offer guidance on developing a routine that helps you get a good night’s rest. In an inpatient experience, therapists can help you avoid daytime napping that could interfere with nighttime sleeping, and the routine of the facility can help develop a positive sleep routine, as well.

In many cases, you or a loved one can perform some of the post-surgery care, but if you are unable to do so, an inpatient rehabilitation facility might provide the solution. Even as an outpatient, having the assistance of professionals at a rehab facility can help you speed recovery and avoid setbacks. At Church Home, our goal is to help you achieve the best recovery outcome in the least amount of time with the latest technology and compassionate caregivers. Contact us if we can help you determine whether inpatient or outpatient recovery is best for you, or to help you start your open heart surgery recovery process.

August 24, 2017
Stroke Rehabilitation: What to Do In The Aftermath
In a 2016 report, the American Stroke Association revealed that over 700,000 people have strokes every year in the U.S., of which 75% are the first the patient has ever had. Recovery from a stroke varies from patient to patient, and it is often the type of care they receive after being released from the hospital that makes the most positive impact on their future. Although some patients may return to their lives with ease, others will require short-term or long-term care options, and learning how to choose a care program effectively can simplify the transition.

Planning For Discharge

Before a patient is even ready to leave the hospital, staff at the location will be assessing that person’s home life and other environmental factors to determine how (and if) they can be released. For example, if the patient lives alone without immediate kin or resides in a remote area with little of their community nearby, finding a care facility to help them get back to normal may be the best option.

According to the National Stroke Association, there are 5 different types of rehabilitation care facilities, all which service different needs:
1. Acute Care: This type of care is administered in a hospital, with many different types of rehabilitation options available. Those who are at risk for complications and need attentive care to continue their recovery are the most likely candidates for this type of inpatient rehab.
2. Sub-Acute Care: While still provided as an inpatient option, sub-acute care is conducted in a rehabilitation ward where nurses provide daily basic care and some rehabilitation activities. This service is often reserved for those with severe disabilities caused by their stroke.
3. Long-Term Care: For those who require constant nursing assistance but are stable, long-term care is optimal. With skilled nurses and rehabilitation activities at least 2 days a week, this type of treatment is a safe way to keep patients on the road to recovery.
4. Outpatient Care: Patients who can care for themselves at home find outpatient care to be useful. Usually, these facilities are referred to someone if they are able to get themselves to the appointment, and can occur both in the hospital, itself, or in an outpatient rehabilitation facility.
5. Home Health Care: For those who are cleared of major health risks but are unable to leave their home for rehabilitative services, home health care can bring recovery techniques to the patient. Home health care techniques are used as needed, but may be scheduled out in advance.
When To Ask For Help

When it comes to family, putting someone you love and care about into a care facility can seem heartless and difficult. However, patients who require a high level of care or specialized equipment can be at a specific disadvantage if kept at home. Consider the quality of care you can give to a patient who is being released from the hospital, and ask yourself if you are able to give them everything they need in order to make a recovery or live comfortably. Outside of basic financial concerns, be sure to discuss your patient or loved one’s needs in detail with your doctor to ascertain the specific level of care they will require. Ask yourself questions, such as how much free-time you are willing to dedicate to caring for them, and make a decision that will favor both you and the patient in the long run.

At Church Home LifeSpring, both long-term and short-term patients can find exquisite comfort and care through our attentive staff. We are committed to providing your loved ones with state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities and a plethora of relevant services for our patients to engage in. Our mission is to find the best solution possible, while making those in our care feel at home. Contact us for more information on providing loving, long-term and short-term rehabilitation services.
July 20, 2017
Choosing the Right Stroke Rehabilitation Center
Picking the Right Post Stroke Rehab Center

A stroke is a life-altering event experienced by nearly 800,000 people in the United States every year. Amidst all the stress and uncertainty, it can seem overwhelming to try to choose the right stroke rehabilitation center, but it’s an important part of ensuring the best possible recovery outcome for the patient.

Recovering From a Stroke

Stroke rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible to help the patient recover from or improve upon any disabilities caused by the stroke, which could include paralysis (full or partial) or weakness on one side of the body, as well as problems with speech, emotions, memory, attention span, and judgment. Stroke patients might also suffer from depression.
However, stroke rehabilitation is not all about recovering the skills that were lost. In some cases, it might mean learning to cope with the changes to the brain and the body after the stroke, or adjusting to changes in the patient’s home life.

Mayo Clinic outlines a variety of techniques and therapies that might be used in a stroke rehabilitation center, including:
- Physical Activities: muscle strengthening, coordination exercises, range-of-motion exercises, use of walking aids, isolation of the weak limb.
- Cognitive and Emotional Activities: speech therapy, counseling, medications.
The specific therapies used with each patient depend upon the severity of the stroke and the person’s ability and determination to improve; it is noted that the best chance of improvement accompanies activity that “…is w illful, repetitive and task specific.” The length of the process will vary from person to person; some exercises might need to be continued throughout the patient’s life to maintain the improvements he or she has experienced. Complete recovery is not always possible, but nearly all patients will see some degree of improvement through a rehab program.
Choosing the Right Stroke Rehabilitation Center

Stroke rehabilitation centers that offer the right combination of knowledge, training, compassion, equipment, and resources provide a positive atmosphere in which to overcome what may be one of the greatest challenges of the patient’s life. This is a personal decision, and the ideal solution will be different for each patient. There are a few important considerations to keep in mind when choosing a stroke rehabilitation program.

Convenience

Is the rehab center located near you? If you will be driving there regularly, it needs to be accessible. Long drives on a near-daily basis will become exhausting for both you and your loved one.

Inpatient or Outpatient Needs

Your loved one’s doctor can help determine what kind of care is needed to start the recovery process. For a severe stroke, around-the-clock care and extensive rehab may be required. In other cases, outpatient care could be enough.

Cost

Your insurance might cover the cost of rehabilitation. If not, there are other options, and the facility has knowledgeable representatives to guide you through the process. Consider a not-for-profit center to ensure the focus is on recovery and ongoing high quality of life for the patients rather than high profits for the organization.

Experience and Reputation

The rehabilitation center has high ratings and a long list of testimonials from happy patients. It might also hold awards or other recognition for being a top-notch facility.

Comfort and Technology

State-of-the-art equipment and techniques are used in a comfortable, inviting space. Patients feel safe and welcome, trusting in the expertise of the therapists and other professionals.

Compassion and Care

The professionals at your chosen stroke rehabilitation center have extensive training and experience, of course, but it’s also important that they are passionate about what they do. Visit with the staff and the care professionals before making your choice, and make sure you feel good about leaving your loved one’s care in their capable, compassionate hands.

We want you to find the right stroke rehabilitation center for your loved one as much as you do. We are here to make this process as simple as possible, so please contact Church Home if we can answer any questions for you.
June 15, 2017
Hip Replacement rehab tips – 60 & older
A Few Hip Replacement Rehab Tips if you are Over 60

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most invasive medical procedures in the medical world. Post procedure pain and limited mobility are to be expected. The good news for hip replacement patients is that a good rehabilitation regimen will increase their quality of life dramatically. An experienced and caring rehabilitation team will work with you to help progress as quickly as possible. Intuitively, the older a patient is the more careful they have to be post-surgery. Too much activity soon after may reduce the efficacy of the surgery and cause pain. Church Home LifeSpring would like to help you get the most out of your life post-surgery and we would like to impart a few hip replacement rehab tips if you are over 60. This advice, along with a good rehab routine, will help you get the most out of your life.

Be Proactive

A good way to prepare for hip surgery is to set up a visit to a rehab specialist in the weeks and months leading to your surgery. These sessions help you to safely strengthen vital parts of your body before surgery. Another advantage is that it establishes a relationship between the patient and the rehabilitation specialist. They become more familiar with your situation and get a better grasp of your needs and capabilities.

Improve Your Health

The best way to successful hip replacement rehab is to maintain your health before and after surgery. Maintaining a healthy weight lessens the stress on your body, especially surgically repaired joints. Proper nutrition gives you the energy and vitality to help you recover and thrive.
Don’t Go Too Fast

It is important to work hard at your recovery but it is vital to remember not to go overboard. WebMD suggests that bending or pivoting on the involved leg should be avoided. Bending at the waist or crouching in the year after surgery should be avoided as well. It is important to ease into activities after surgery.

Preparing your home is another way to expedite recovery. A few practical tips will go a long way to aid recovery.
- Avoid stairs
Before surgery arrange your home such that you will not have to climb stairs. The act of walking up and down stairs puts a lot of stress on your hips and may be too much for your replacement hip.
- Remove trip hazards
Before surgery do your best to remove, or repair, anything that may cause a fall. Repair flooring, loose carpeting, etc.
- Control pets and young children
Pets and young children are full of life and they often do not know how to control their enthusiasm. Keeping them in control during your recovery will eliminate setbacks due to their behavior. A speedy recovery will have you back playing with them before long.

Your doctor and physical therapist can help you determine how your recovery is progressing and what activities are appropriate.

Every surgery is a big surgery and rehabilitation deserves respect. The preceding tips give post-hip surgery patients the best chance for a speedy recovery. The most important aspect of your recovery is rehabilitation. A good rehabilitation team will push you far enough to recover but never too far. Church Home LifeSpring is a senior care facility that also offers short-term physical therapy. We have the heart and expertise to help you with the difficult recovery process. Contact us to discuss your options and discover how our caring staff will work with you and setup a personal care plan. Hip surgery is a very difficult time in a person’s life. Let Church Home LifeSpring take some of the weight off of you and your loved ones.
May 11, 2017
5 Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

After a cardiac procedure or event, like a heart attack, it’s time to focus on recovery and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of another episode. Navigating these changes alone can be daunting or, for some, impossible, which is why many people choose a cardiac rehabilitation program. Like the American Heart Association says, “Cardiac rehab doesn’t change your past, but it can help you improve your heart’s future.”

Cardiac rehabilitation is a well-rounded program featuring expertise and guidance from your team of doctors, nutritionists, physical therapists, exercise specialists, and more. You’ll focus on healthy eating, appropriate exercise, and stress reduction. Cardiac rehab is not one-size-fits-all; instead, it is designed around your unique needs.

There are many reasons to complete a cardiac rehab program after your heart surgery, heart attack, or heart failure. It can help reduce your risk of another heart attack, initiate weight loss, and improve your overall fitness. Here are five important benefits of cardiac rehabilitation:

Improved Physical Work Capacity

Sometimes people don’t exercise because they don’t know where to start. Take advantage of your cardiac rehab and learn how to properly perform a variety of exercises. As you get stronger, you’ll gradually be able to increase the intensity as guided by your therapist or trainer, and those are skills you can take with you into your gym (or your living room!).

Your heart isn’t the only one reaping the benefits of exercise. Your entire body will get stronger, as well, which means…

Enhanced Ability to Perform Daily Activities

After cardiac rehab, you might find it easier to take the stairs or to carry your own groceries. Because of the work you put in for the sake of your heart, your entire body will benefit, and the activities of daily life will become easier.

And the easier they become, the more willing you are to do them! In the past, perhaps walking the dog seemed like an uncomfortable task. With your new fitness level, it becomes an enjoyable activity for both you and your pup.

One more thing: improved strength often means improved balance. As we age and our balance declines, we run the risk of dangerous falls. Improved balance and strength keeps us safer, too.

Return to Work More Quickly

Every year, about 790,000 Americans have a heart attack, and not all of those people are retired! If you need to return to your job, a rehabilitation program can help you get there sooner than if you went about recovering on your own. Your team knows when and how to help you progress and whether you’re on track or need some extra assistance or a new approach.

Cardiac rehab might last about three months, depending on your needs and progress. This can all be done as a resident in a rehabilitation center, or maybe you’ll do part of it in-patient and part out-patient. Either way, it will keep you on the road to recovery and focused on adopting the lifestyle changes required for lasting heart health.

Decreased Risk of Hospital Readmission

Cardiac rehab reduces death rates, and studies like this one have shown that those who participate in a rehab program are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital with a heart issue (and spend less time in the hospital if they do go). Cleveland Clinic notes:

“…patients who go to cardiac rehab after such problems have 25 to 30 percent fewer fatal heart events afterward. They also tend to lose weight, lower their cholesterol, improve their diabetes and reduce anxiety and depression.”

Decreased Total Healthcare Costs

All the benefits listed above tell a story about cost, too. Avoiding hospital stays, getting back to work quickly, being stronger and more efficient when completing daily tasks, and living a healthier lifestyle (perhaps avoiding additional hospitalizations or prescriptions) all help you save money. The relatively low cost of rehabilitation becomes well worth it when you realize what it saves you in terms of time and money–and, of course, your health.

If you have any questions about cardiac rehabilitation, please contact us. Church Home LifeSpring is proud to offer short-term rehabilitation services with a focus on maximizing your recovery while minimizing the time it takes to get there. We invite you to visit our comfortable state-of-the-art rehab center to see if it’s the right place your cardiac rehabilitation.

March 8, 2017
5 Best Exercises To Do After A Knee Replacement Surgery
Once you return home from a knee replacement, it is tempting to just relax and take it easy. It is important to exercise though after the surgery to help build strength and prevent complications. Exercising is a crucial component to the healing process after a knee replacement. The exercise will also improve motion in your knee to help get your activity level back to where it was before the surgery.

A regular exercise program is beneficial for the weakened muscles. Your commitment to the exercises will determine how quick and how well you recover from the surgery. You should try to exercise a couple of times a day, every day, following the surgery.

The knees will probably feel weak at first, because they were most likely not used much due to the knee problems before surgery. Some exercises could also cause knee pain or excessive swelling, and that particular activity should be limited. There are other exercises that can be beneficial though. Here is a list of the best exercises to do if you have just had a knee replacement.

1. Heel Slides
After a knee replacement, the knee will become regularly stiff. Bending the knee may be painful, but it will be beneficial in the end. It is important to regain the full range of motion, and this exercise will help to do so. Lay on your back with your non-replacement knee straight out in front of you. Bend the other knee and slide that heel close to your buttocks while keeping your heel down. Keep your knee at this angle for a few seconds, and then slide your heel back down to the starting position. Do three sets of ten reps and then rest.

2. Stationary Bike or Elliptical Machine
The quad muscles are essential to movement and stability in the knee, and both of these cardiovascular exercises will help strengthen the quads. It is much safer to participate in low-impact exercises instead of high-impact exercises like running. It is also beneficial to push down harder with the leg that has had a knee replacement to maximize the benefits of the exercise.

3. Sitting Kicks
Grab a sturdy chair and sit in a normal position. Lift your foot and straighten your knee as much as possible. Try your best to keep your knees level like you were holding something in your lap. Hold this position for five seconds and then slowly lower your leg down and relax. Return to the starting position, and repeat the exercise with your other leg. You can do this exercise 5 times a week with 15 repetitions each time.

4. The Clam
Strengthening your hips and glutes is also critical for knee stabilization. Lie on your side with your knees bent. Lift the knee positioned on top of your leg while keeping your feet touching. Hold the position for a second and let your leg back down to the starting position. Repeat three sets of twelve with each leg. Hip strengthening is often overlooked after a knee replacement, but this exercise will help you recover quickly and stay ahead of the pain.

5. Knee Push Downs
This is another quad strengthening exercise to help rehabilitate your knee. Roll a towel up and place it under your ankles and lie on the floor. Press your knees down towards the floor by tightening your thigh muscles. Hold the position for five seconds and then repeat 20 times. This exercise will not only help build your quad muscles, but it will also improve the range of motion.

Recovery from a knee replacement will take time, but if you follow these exercise, you will be able to build strength quickly and get back to your normal self. Dedication and commitment are key for trying to exercise your knee after a replacement. If you would like more information on rehabilitation and recovery after a knee replacement, contact us today. We offer short-term physical therapy, and we can maximize your recovery outcomes while minimizing your recovery time.
February 6, 2017