83 years of age, possible knee replacement

[Bluebaglining]

My mum is 83, has two bad knees and has been offered an appointment in early December to see about a knee replacement. She’s got arthritis in both arms and has heart failure. I’m not sure they’ll do it, but I don’t live close to her either to offer assistance?

My dad had it done last year. He was 85 and recovered well. You do need to do the post-op rehab physio though. They won’t discharge you without making sure you can go up and down stairs. But you do need to be fit enough for the anaesthesia. My elderly mum was at home to help out a bit, though she can’t do much herself. You could maybe arrange a care package for a couple of weeks.

Thank you. Can I ask how often the post OP physio was for? I mentioned she may need a taxi to take her there and back and she flipped about it. I live away so unable to help much. Would she pay for the care package?

No, the post-op physio you do by yourself at home. They give you exercises to do. It’s crucial that you do them. I live hundreds of miles from my parents and was unable to help. They managed fine themselves. I don’t know if you’d have to pay for a care package - I would think so in most cases. You could ask for some equipment at home. A toilet frame and raised seat is a good idea for getting on and off the toilet. They don’t cost much but an OT referral might provide them. But there’s no need to have a bed downstairs, for example. A single friend who had her knee replaced in her 50s had no help and managed by herself in a top-floor flat, no lift. Maybe get some meals prepped or buy in some ready meals.