Is Hip Replacement Surgery Appropriate for Your Parent?

Elderly Care in DeWitt MI

Elderly Care in DeWitt MIEach year more than 310,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed. These procedures can make a truly incredible difference in the life of those who receive it, easing pain and stiffness, and promoting better range of motion and flexibility. Despite the benefits that your elderly loved one could experience after receiving this type of surgery, however, it is important to remember that this is major surgery that can carry with it serious risks. It is vital that you evaluate both the potential pros and cons of the surgery to determine if hip replacement surgery might be the appropriate choice for your aging loved one.

When considering whether getting a hip replacement surgery is appropriate for your elderly loved one, it is important to remember that there is no one single formula or checklist of criteria that will tell you whether this type of procedure is what is right for them. Instead, your aging parent must evaluate the procedure, its risks, its benefits, and everything that it involves to determine if it is something that they are willing to undergo.

The majority of hip replacement surgeries are performed on people with osteoarthritis. This is a condition that occur due to wear and tear in the joint that leads to the breakdown of the cartilage between the bones. This causes the bones to rub against each other, developing bone spurs and causing pain and stiffness. Others undergo the surgery after sustaining a serious injury or due to tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, or fractures.

The only way that you can truly determine if this type of procedure is the right approach for your aging parent is by talking to their doctor. If your elderly loved one has been suffering from pain, stiffness, and lack of mobility that have been impacting their quality of life, schedule a time to meet with their doctor to discuss their symptoms and determine the course of treatment that is right for your elderly parent. The doctor may recommend that they try other forms of therapy and management to see if there is any benefit from less-invasive measures such as medication or physical therapy. If your parent has already tried these methods, or if the damage to the hip is too extensive, the doctor may determine that surgery is the right approach to ease your aging loved one's discomfort and help them to achieve a more active, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle.

If your aging parent is considering hip replacement surgery, encourage them to also consider elderly care. Having an elderly home care services provider in the home with your aging parent as they prepare for the surgery and then after they have received their procedure can help them to feel more confident. This care provider can also offer a personalized approach to care and assistance tailored to promote healing and recovery for your aging parent, while also encouraging a healthier, stronger, and more independent lifestyle as they age in place after their procedure.

Source
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/hipreplacement/whoneeds/01.html
http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/news/20150212/number-of-hip-replacements-has-skyrocketed-us-report-shows

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in DeWitt, MI, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Lansing. Call today: 517-332-9953.