Rehab/residential care after Hip replacement - is that on us?

[Spareincoming]

Mother needs a new hip; she’s been told it could happen at multiple hospitals fairly swiftly but nothing has been said about after the procedure despite her raising concerns at every appointment.

No family are local to help post surgery - I’m the closest 3 hours away with young children and other stuff which means I could only help for a few days etc - and she doesn’t have a suitable home to return to after surgery as she’s no downstairs toilet etc and very steep stairs/no stair lift so she would need to go into rehabilitation/residential care temporarily after the operation.

Is that on her to facilitate or would the NHS help?

She’s in England (I’m not!)

Thanks.

Ask!

Yes. She can get help.

She should get a reablement package to support her at home as part of her discharge plan. This fact sheet explains what should happen

www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/factsheets/fs37_hospital_discharge_fcs.pdf

Friend’s elderly dad got the 6 weeks free care after a hip replacement. They will probably provide a commode.
Our area has a home you can go to just for 2 weeks to assess level of need.

You can get a stair lift fitted in about 2 weeks. Might well be worth doing at this point anyway.

Possibly a rehab ward depending on age/need.
6 weeks from NHS post op.

Have a look at what 'pre-hab' might help too.

I am in my 70s and had a hip replacement recently. I live on my own. I do have a downstairs loo but my stairs are very steep.

I was in hospital for one night. My daughter (who lives 2 hours away and works full time with a toddler) came to stay for 2 nights after that.

I was absolutely fine. I slept upstairs from the very beginning. They don't let you leave hospital until they have confirmed you can navigate stairs safely with crutches. I was given a special seat to make it easier to use the loo which I used for the first few days. I was also given a grabby tool to help me pick things up off the floor.

I was glad my daughter was there so I could go out for a walk with her for the first time to build my confidence up. It was also very nice to have her bring me meals, ice packs, etc.

But I was completely ok after she left and I could actually have managed on my own from the start (although it was obviously much nicer to have company).

It was worse worrying about it beforehand. It was much easier to manage than I had expected.

NHS fund up to 6 weeks post op care which can be at home carer visits up to several times a day and/or rehab placement after discharge from hospital .In some areas it is called Reablement and outsourced. It may include Physio visits but she may need to organise transport to appointments otherwise and before discharge to home an OT should visit and recommend any adaptations and aids , like chair raisers and grab rails which they can arrange. Beyond that you will need to arrange it or supplement it yourselves. For longer term needs try asking for an assessment from Adult Social Care.

@Saturdaysfairies She has been asking, and told that’s something for when she gets a date.
@Gladtimeslady That’s exactly the kind of recovery I’d wish for Mother. Here’s to hoping!

I’m hopeful she could get in to and then go home after a week in residential/rehab.