As we age our bones and joints will become weaker, restricting movement and making it difficult to do even simple things like sitting down. Hip replacement surgery offers those individuals a chance at enjoying a pain-free life.

However, recovery is long, perhaps even months and can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re used to being quite independent. This is where it is important to take the time to set up your home to make your recovery and life easier when you return after your surgery.

How to Prepare your Home for after Hip Replacement Surgery

1. If possible, move your sleeping arrangements downstairs, using a bed that is low to the ground. Ideally you need your feet to be able to touch the floor when sat on the edge of the bed.
2. If you don’t have a first-floor bathroom, a commode is a good alternative.
3. Stock up on necessities like ready meals, toiletries, toilet paper and canned goods.
4. Put food and other supplies in a cupboard that sits between your waist and shoulders.
5. If you use a walker (more on walking aids below), attach a bag or basket to carry your personal items like your phone, tv remove. If you don’t use a walker you could opt for a bum bag.
6. Put a chair in each room you use so that you can sit and rest while carrying out daily tasks.

Products to Help After your Hip Replacement Surgery

As well as the steps above, there are also a variety of assistive products that can help make life easier after your hip replacement surgery.

Hip Kits

Bending over, reaching and other movements are likely to be off-limits after your surgery for some time. That’s where a Hip Kit, complete with a reacher grabber, sock aid, dressing stick, shoehorn and a bath sponge.

Toilet Seat Risers

As we mentioned above, bending down is not recommended for those post-surgery. Using a toilet seat riser increases the height of the toilet seat, making it possible for you to use the toilet without lowering yourself too far down.

There are a few different options to choose from:

• Hinged – These are a good option if others also use the toilet as it can be lifted and placed back again as and when needed.
• Elongated – These have a wider base to give added support and comfort for the user.
• Basic Risers – These are more basic in design with the main functionality being to raise the toilet seat.

Walking Aids

Getting around your home can be made a lot easier after your hip replacement surgery by suing various walking aids.

• Crutches – These are a possible option if you have only had one hip replaced. Using your good leg to step through, placing your weight onto your hands.
• Cane – It’s good to get the advice of a physical therapist when choosing the correct cane after your surgery.
• Walker – A front wheel walker is a good option after hip replacement surgery.

Dressing Aids

Getting ourselves dressed in the morning is a task we often take for granted being able to do without much of a struggle! After surgery, the movements such as bending, sitting, stretching our arms and legs are restricted. There are a variety of dressing aids that can assist with this.

• Elastic Shoelaces – helps with the simple act of tying your shoelaces.
• Hair grooming aids – various brushes, combs etc. that can be used in different ways to help reduce discomfort during use.
• Dressing sticks – These help with putting on and adjusting clothes.
• Zip and Button aids – These aids help reduce the strain when using buttons on clothing.
• Shoe Horns – Enabling you to put on your shoes without bending down.

How to Avoid Trips and Falls after your Hip Replacement Surgery

There are various hazards about our home that we may not normally notice, however, when your mobility is temporarily impaired, these can be dangerous by causing trips or falls.

• Remove loose wires, tidying away any cables from walk areas.
• Place night lights around the house to help when moving about your home at night.
• Fix any uneven flooring.
• Remove loose rugs, use anti slip mats wherever possible.
• Place rails anywhere where there is a step or change in floor level.

If you are due to undergo hip replacement surgery and would like assistance on the items that can help you in your home, call our friendly team today on 01792 589999. Or contact us here.