Knee & Hip Replacement Care

‘Outstanding’ care at home with Trinity Homecare

After intensive surgery or injury, the goal is a full, speedy recovery. However, once hospital staff deem an individual fit to leave, this does not necessarily mean their recuperation is complete. Often, the recovery process continues at home, but this requires the support of family or professional caregivers.

Carers specialising in knee and hip replacement care can help elderly individuals fully recover in the comfortable surroundings of home. Live-in care offers round-the-clock assistance for those individuals who need extra support whilst they recuperate from surgical procedures or injury.

With over twenty years of experience, it is highly likely that we can help you or your loved one. Contact us to talk about how we can support you.

 

What does knee & hip replacement care involve?

According to NHS Digital, more than 160,000 hip and knee replacements are performed annually in England. The NHS also highlights that early supported discharge and home-based recovery can improve outcomes and reduce complications.

Coming home after a knee or hip replacement can be challenging as individuals may experience mobility issues and struggle to take care of themselves. Knee and hip replacement care involves having a live-in carer on hand to assist with moving around the home, getting in and out of bed and keeping walkways clear and clutter-free. Carers can also provide transportation and accompaniment to and from healthcare appointments.

Live-in carers can also take on board the instructions left by healthcare professionals in order to enable the recovery process, rehabilitation and support physiotherapy. Medication management also plays an important part in recuperation, and a live-in carer can assist with the timely taking of prescribed pain medication.

What to expect following knee or hip replacement surgery

Depending on your age and health status, recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery may take several months or more. However, the recovery period is generally shorter if the surgery involves a partial knee replacement.

Most people leave the hospital to recover at home up to three days after the surgery. During recovery, individuals can expect general pain, soreness, and swelling of the affected area. The stitches or clips will be removed after about ten days, and you will be invited to a follow-up appointment about six weeks after the operation to check on your progress.

Whilst recovering at home, individuals will undergo physiotherapy and require mobility assistance to help move around. An experienced live-in carer can support you or a loved one with mobility issues through this process.

How to prepare your home after surgery

Preparing your home in advance can help prevent accidents and make day-to-day recovery easier. Some practical steps include:

• Clearing walkways of clutter and rugs to avoid tripping
• Installing grab rails in bathrooms and near stairs
• Positioning essential items within easy reach
• Using a raised toilet seat and sturdy chairs with arms
• Setting up a temporary sleeping area on the ground floor (if stairs are a challenge)

These small adjustments, combined with the presence of a live-in carer, can reduce the risk of falls and support independence throughout recovery.

Post-operative exercises and rehabilitation

Physiotherapy is an essential part of the rehabilitation process. Exercises help strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and reduce stiffness.

While carers are not physiotherapists, they can:

• Support and encourage prescribed physiotherapy routines
• Help with positioning and balance during exercises
• Monitor for any discomfort or swelling
• Communicate concerns to healthcare professionals if needed

According to NICE guidelines, structured rehabilitation after surgery significantly improves long-term mobility and quality of life for those recovering from hip or knee replacement.

What are the benefits of knee & hip replacement care?

Knee and hip replacement surgery is often a necessary but invasive procedure that enables individuals to retain mobility in their later years. Receiving appropriate care after these procedures can offer many benefits and aid recovery.

The key benefits of knee and hip replacement care are:

• Receiving mobility support from an expert carer
• Personalised care in line with healthcare professionals’ instructions
• Carers liaise with hospital staff in order to offer the best recovery outcomes
• Peace of mind for you and your family
• Round-the-clock care in the comfort of your own home

Different types of care available

There are different types of care at home available depending on your particular health needs. Whether you or a loved one has had a recent knee or hip operation or has had treatment for wounds or scarring, there is a carer out there who can offer tailor-made support.

Here are a few of the various types of care recommended following a hospital discharge:

• Postoperative care

Postoperative care, also known as home-based postoperative care, starts when the patient is discharged from the hospital and returns home. Following many surgical procedures, there is a period of convalescence while the individual recovers from surgery at home. At this stage, the person is well enough to go home but needs monitoring and assistance to avoid complications and aid their recovery.

• Reablement care

Reablement care allows people in hospitals or other medical facilities to be discharged and recover in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of home. Reablement care aims to help the individual recover, regain abilities and adapt to life at home in order to remain well and live independently in the long term.

• Intermediate care

Intermediate care, another name for reablement care, is a form of temporary care that supports an individual to remain at home while they recover from an illness, accident or hospital stay.

How live-in care can help

Live-in care services can help support an individual through their recovery from surgery, illness and injury by providing round-the-clock personalised care tailored to their specific needs.

A live-in carer can help with:

• Mobility assistance
• Getting in and out of bed
• Transportation to and from healthcare appointments
• Medication management
• Wound care and monitoring for infection
• Personal care, e.g. bathing, dressing and toileting
• Skincare for scars and other skin conditions
• Meal preparation

How Trinity Homecare can help

A Trinity Homecare carer can support an elderly person with their recovery from a knee or hip replacement. By choosing one of our live-in care services you can ensure that your recovery care will be personalised in line with your individual healthcare requirements.

From mobility assistance to supporting wound care, carers can help individuals recuperate in the comfort of their homes.

Get in touch today

Live-in care is helpful for those recovering at home from knee and hip replacement surgery, ensuring that their condition improves and does not lead to another admittance to the hospital. The various forms of postoperative care are designed to work alongside instructions given by medical professionals in order to ensure a speedy recovery. Trinity Homecare is able to match your loved one with a live-in carer who can help them recover in the comfortable surroundings of home.

If you would like to learn more about arranging live-in care, get in touch with our friendly and professional care team.

Arranging live-in care with Trinity is easy

Just follow these five simple steps:

1. Call our care team
2. Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
3. After the assessment, a plan of care is created
4. A well-suited carer is found and placed
5. Care can be adapted at any time