Prepare Your Home

Reduce Accident Risks
Remember that your mobility will be limited in the days and weeks following your surgery. Take some time beforehand to transform your home into the best possible recuperative environment, eliminating potential hazards and obstacles to recovery. Here are a few simple ideas:

  • Rearrange furniture: Rearrange your furniture to create wide traffic paths and remove obstacles. Make it as easy and safe as possible to move around your home during your recovery.
  • Buy a firm pillow: Putting a firm pillow on a low chair or sofa before sitting down may help reduce discomfort.
  • Check your shoes: Wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping.
  • Remove electrical cords: To avoid tripping over them, remove them, hide them or tape them to the floor.
  • Pack up the throw rugs: Rugs can shift or bunch, causing you to slip or trip. Don't take chances - remove all of them before your surgery.
  • Watch the floor: After your surgery, always keep an eye on the floor to avoid tripping over pets or small objects.

Stock up on food: It's a good idea to stock up on canned or frozen foods. To avoid bending over or using a stool or stepladder, store all supplies between waist and shoulder level for easy access.

Reva's corner:
If you have pets, you should arrange for someone to care for them right after surgery. It's important that they are cared for by someone who is more mobile than you are. You don't want to trip over them, and you may have problems picking them up or cleaning up after them.

Prepare a bed downstairs: If your bedroom is upstairs or in the basement, prepare a bed on the ground floor of your home to use temporarily upon your return from the hospital.

Get help with household chores: For the first few weeks following your surgery, you'll need some help with typical household chores like cooking, cleaning, shopping, bathing and doing laundry. If you don't have a spouse, relative or friend who can help with these essential tasks, your healthcare team can assist you in making arrangements in advance for someone to help you around the home. You can also arrange a short stay at an extended care rehab facility while you recover.

Insurance
Insurance plans vary, so check with your carrier in advance to see if you need pre-certification for this type of surgery, as well as whether your insurance plan covers a private room.