1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Private paid for Convalescent Care after Hip Op on NHS, Can you share your experiences?

Posted , 9 users are following.

haj5
haj5

My Mum should have had her hip op done over 6 years ago.

She's put it off using lots of excuses and now she's at the point where she can't walk to the local shops so now has agreed with GP to have it done in 6 weeks time on the NHS and has her date and done all her pre-checks.

She lives on her own.  She is in a private landlord rental property.  It's a basement flat and she has no views on to the real world.  She has one window - which looks out on to a big bit of concrete.  The flat is not designed for an elderly person and the shower is not ideal as you need step up 1 big step - I would struggle and Mum does find it hard.  She wishes it was a "wet room" because I used to have one at my place so she knows what works for her.

Her kids don't live anywhere near her.  We all live away because of work commitments but we rally round when she needs us.

Hospital said that because me and my brothers showed up for her appointment - basically she's got peope to care for her so after her hip op they said we'd be responsible for her.  I explained we can't be there for her as we don't live in the area, but they said because we showed up for the appointment we are now responsible for after her hip op.

I'm looking at places where she can go to be looked after, after they sign her off after just a few days on the NHS.

I'm confused by all the stuff out there - even though we are happy to pay privately for her, it's not clear cut. Seems that there is no such thing as convalescent care out there.  It seems that everything has been privatised and so anyone wanting convalescent care will be in a nursing home / care home / respite care and potentially with patients who are dementia care paitients.

My Mum may be physically lacking but mentally - she's all there and has an active life.  I'm worried about putting her to convalescence in a place where she'll be talking to those with problems and dementia because thats what is on offer. 

She'll think we'll have put her there before her time.

I know you guys have done the convalescnet care things yourselves - what is your experience, where did you go, how did you chose your place and were you in there with people who were residents etc?

Thank you!

 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • sandra67350
    sandra67350 haj5

    Posted

    How old is your mum? Does she have any other problems than her hip causing immobility? Is she an active and self sufficient person?

    It will help people to answer if we know more.

    So good you're there for her even though it's difficult with distance.

    • haj5
      haj5 sandra67350

      Posted

      Hi sandra

      Thanks for you reply.

      Mum has IBS because she doesn't move much but doesn't have other health issues other than needing a hip op.

      She's 74.

      Currently she's good about daily stuff but stuff to do with finance etc is something we look after.

      She can't walk anywhere now even using a stick is difficult.

      Thank you

      xox

       

    • sandra67350
      sandra67350 haj5

      Posted

      I'm 61yrs and was barely able to walk by the time my op came round.

      Initially yes she will need some help. Can you do a rota of few days each just for first could of weeks. If all goes to plan your mum will be surprised at the lack of hip pain and how much she can do for herself. Just make sure everything is within easy reach that she needs and that she has a grabber stick, sock aid and long shoe horn so she isn't bending. As far as shower is concerned, not ideal but she could just manage with stand up wash til restrictions are lifted. You can buy a long handled sponge for reaching lower legs.

      I was only using one crutch at home after 2 weeks and was washing up, ironing etc. At 4 weeks I was walking unaided around the house and managing cleaning, cooking etc.

      She could have online groceries delivered. Instead you could have someone call at her house to check on her and do anything that needs doing she hasn't managed. May be nicer for her to be in her own home. It would be better if she has friends that can call in too. She will be walking on her crutches when she leaves hospital and should be taking short walks outdoors and increasing length as time goes by.

      Hope this helps. Otherwise I don't know anything about convalescent places but know that places are difficult to obtain.

    • sandra67350
      sandra67350

      Posted

      first couple of weeks that should say
  • anniepaint
    anniepaint haj5

    Posted

    Hi I am still waiting for my op but there are a couple of private convalescent places locally that offer specific post op care following hip replacement. I found them through google. I looked for post operative convalescent care hip replacement. They are not for long term residential care or dementia care. They are not cheap though. I also have a high step to get into the shower and have a bath step that I got online. It's very useful and makes it easier to get in and out of the shower by creating a smaller interim step. If you can't find any convalescent places near your mum via google perhaps contact the district nurses or social services for her area for advice. She should not be discharged home until she can manage if no one can come and help her from the family. I have a sister who was all set to take 2 weeks holiday to help me but my op was postponed at short notice with no new date yet. That's why I looked at convalescent facilities in case she can't get time off next time I get a date for surgery. They do get booked up though so you probably need to pursue this soon.  

    Best Wishes

    Ann

  • lisa31002
    lisa31002 haj5

    Posted

    I live on my own and have no family nearby. I went into a private hospital for 3 days convalescent care straight from the NHS hospital. It cost a lot but got me over the period of uncertainty after the op in Sept 2016. I had a private room, meals etc a physio was available and nurses checked up on me several times a day. I did this because the first thing the consultant said to me when I saw him 3 months before the op was 'who's at home to look after you'. When I said I could look after myself, he said that I really needed help for a few days. I was 54 at the time. 🛌

  • jillypops
    jillypops haj5

    Posted

    Hi - great advice from Sandra. Your local mobility shop might loan you a perching stool - i used mine to sit on to have my full wash at bathroom basin. You can also get camping sponges to wash with - they are impregnated with a type of body wash that doesn't need to be rinsed off.

    When your mum has her op, she should not be discharged until she is able to get on and off bed and toilet independently. If she has stairs, she should be able to manage a flight up and down with physios before discharge. If you feel she will not manage at the time they want to discharge her you can make your concerns known - she must not be discharged if unsafe to do so. But, like Sandra says, if you and your siblings can take a few days off each just in the early days, you, and she will probably be surprised at how quickly your mum will be able to get about. Best of luck with it all. Your mum is lucky to have such a caring family. 😊

  • haj5
    haj5

    Posted

    Thank you all for your replies. You are amazing. Thank you!

    The tips, hints and advice I've made a note of and will be sharing with family and Mum.

    It's lovely to hear so much encouragement and it'll help Mum knowing that people giving the advice have experienced what she's going to go through and will make it seem less scary.

    Ann, hope you get a date for your op soon.

    Thank you all again so very much!!

  • renee01952
    renee01952 haj5

    Posted

    dear haj, 

    warm welcome to this hippies forum ...

    wow, this is a surprise to me - how short sighted to assume that since you came to the appointment with her, you are responsible for her post-op care -

    I live alone and had 2 THR surgeries  6 months apart - I did not go to a rehab center but wish I had (on hindsight) - my insurance would cover 2 weeks - 

    I did it all - no children, no friends near by - no one stayed with me and to be honest, at that time, I just did what I needed to do  - I was 67 then, 69 now - 

    A home health nurse came every morning for 2 weeks to help me wash and get dressed, check my scar - 

    My girlfriend did some grocery shopping for and with me until I could drive ...

    There are so many advantages staying in a facility - you are taken care of, have assistance, physical therapy and basically no worries in how to make your bed, a meal or anything ---

    however ..I was fine otherwise - so it is doable and certainly when you have no other ailments ...

    have her come here and be with us - she won't be alone - we understand each and every part of her journey -

    please come back here and let us know -

    big warm hug for both of you

    renee

     

  • merelina89971
    merelina89971 haj5

    Posted

    Yes can highly recommend Lynden Hill clinic near Reading. Tell number 0118 940 1234

    But don't know whereabouts your mum lives. 24 hour care.. hydrotherapy and physio therapy every day. I think it's as good as it gets! 

    Merelina

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.