Getting ready to stay at a rehab hospital

Transcription

1 Getting ready to stay at a rehab hospital UHN Information for patients having rehab after hip or knee replacement surgery Read this information to learn: how to prepare what you can expect what you need to know after you get home Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Angie Andreoli; revised by Amy Robidas, Roshini Sahanandan, David Clark and Joanne Kwong Revised: 08/2015 Form: D-5850

2 Most patients go home after hip or knee surgery. They usually don't need to stay at a rehab hospital. If you do need to stay in a rehab hospital, your care will focus on getting you moving and ready to go home. When will I go to rehab? You will go to the rehab hospital about 3 days after your surgery. This does not include the actual day you have your surgery. If you need more recovery time after surgery or a bed is not ready for you at rehab, you will wait in the hospital where you had your surgery. How can I prepare? Get your home ready for your return You may not feel well enough to cook, clean and do laundry when you first get home. It is important to get your home ready ahead of time. Make meals or buy prepared foods and keep them in your freezer. If you can't prepare meals, ask a health care provider about Meals on Wheels. This service delivers hot or frozen meals to your home for a small fee. Do your laundry and cleaning before your surgery, or look into getting help for when you are still recovering. Put items you use often in places where they will be easy to reach. Arrange for help to care for your pets and plants. 2

3 Think about the equipment you may need in your home Your therapist can help you decide what you will need, such as a: raised toilet seat shower chair long-handled shoehorn reacher walker or cane long handled sponge or brush Plan to get help for when you return home You may need help with your personal care and/or homemaking activities when you get home. If you can, ask your family or friends to help you. If you live alone, you may want to think about hiring a caregiver to come to your home to help you for a short time or buying homemaking services, if needed. If you are concerned about getting help, please talk with a member of your health care team. Gather what you need to bring to the rehab hospital Comfortable shoes (not slippers) with non-slip soles. We suggest you bring a pair of shoes ½ to 1 size larger than you usually wear, because your leg may be swollen after surgery. Loose, comfortable clothes that you can exercise in (for example t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and shorts) Pyjamas (if you want). 3

4 Your cane or walker (if you use one) and any equipment that helps you get dressed, such as a reacher, sock-aid or long handled shoehorn. Personal items, such as toiletries, glasses and hearing aids. Your health card (Ontario Health Insurance Plan or OHIP) Information about any private medical insurance you have. A list of all the medicines you take. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. Entertainment such as books, puzzles, electronics or headphones (if you want to order TV and you want to use your own headphones). How will I get to the rehab hospital? An ambulance will take you from the hospital where you had your surgery to the rehab hospital. You do not have to pay for this service. What will I do in rehab? A team of health care providers will work with you each day to help improve your strength, balance and flexibility. This therapy will help you slowly get back to doing your regular activities, such as dressing, bathing and walking. There may be activities or movements you will need to avoid for a while after your surgery. In this case, your health care providers will help you learn new ways to get some things done. How long will I stay in rehab? After a hip or knee replacement, most people stay in rehab for up to 7 days. How long you stay will depend on your health and progress in rehab. Your health care providers will work closely with you and your family to plan your return home. 4

5 How will I get home? You need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You will not be able to drive or take public transit. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe for you to drive. Will I need more therapy after I get home? Your therapist will give you an exercise program to do at home. Doing your exercises will strengthen your muscles and keep your new hip or knee moving well. After rehab, your health care team may also recommend that you continue therapy in your community. You may be able to have therapy at: a hospital outpatient clinic a publicly funded clinic a private clinic Before you decide on a clinic, call and ask if their services are paid for by OHIP. If their services are not covered by OHIP, you will need to pay for them or use your own private health insurance. If you need help planning for therapy at a community clinic, talk with your therapist. If I can't drive, how can I get to my appointments? If you can't get to your appointments, talk with a member of your rehab team. A team member can help you arrange a transportation service in your community. In Toronto, Wheel-Trans is an example of this kind of service. Can I get any services at home after rehab? After a hip or knee replacement, most people do not qualify for personal care services in their home. If you would like to buy personal care services, such as help with dressing or bathing, your health care team can give you a list of services in your community. 5