Well Cindi, the bad news is that for the first few weeks you need to be careful to keep the hip aligned and legs uncrossed, so you will need to sleep on your back. I'm a side sleeper but learned to manage (have had 5 hip replacement surgeries over years). One thing we did was put soft pillows on both sides of my torso to mimic being on my side and used a more supportive pillow under head and neck. Soon enough you will be able to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
Thanks for responding. Five hip replacement surgeries? Me oh my. I will work on getting long pillows maybe? to put on both sides so I don't inadvertantly turn over in my sleep. I'm constantly tossing and turning. I guess I'll fall asleep, although I'm so much more comfortable on my side. My doctor suggested I stay in the hospital for a few days because of my age. I am appreciative of that, but I told him I didn't want to stay because I have a handicapped husband. He said ok. But now I'm thinking maybe I should stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery, even so I can be monitored as to sleeping position.
Thanks for responding. Five hip replacement surgeries? Me oh my. I will work on getting long pillows maybe? to put on both sides so I don't inadvertantly turn over in my sleep. I'm constantly tossing and turning. I guess I'll fall asleep, although I'm so much more comfortable on my side. My doctor suggested I stay in the hospital for a few days because of my age. I am appreciative of that, but I told him I didn't want to stay because I have a handicapped husband. He said ok. But now I'm thinking maybe I should stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery, even so I can be monitored as to sleeping position.
Cindi - Not only do you need to arrange to stay in the hospital for a few days as your doctor suggests, you need to arrange help for you and your husband for at least a couple weeks after you get home.
The first few days you will need to focus on ice, self-care, ice, rest, ice and may need help positioning in bed, doing basic therapy exercises, with showering, etc. You will not be doing laundry, cooking, caring for someone else...these are major surgeries, and you cannot recuperate and try to be a caregiver at the same time.
Do you have family members who you can truly rely on for this daily assistance for at least a week? If not, now is the time to look into how you will handle it. If you spend at least 72 hours in the hospital, home care, household help with ADL (activities of daily living) and home PT can be prescribed and paid for through Medicare. Maybe that is why the doc would like you to stay? Like all else in the marketplace right now, home care is in short supply, so you need to arrange it in advance. The hospital social worker or your state office on aging can help you with resources.
Have you been thinking about any of these details yet? Don't let it overwhelm you - there are plenty of people on Connect who can step up with suggestions.
Keep asking questions, and keep your goal in mind - fixing the @#$%& pain!
Sue
Cindi - Not only do you need to arrange to stay in the hospital for a few days as your doctor suggests, you need to arrange help for you and your husband for at least a couple weeks after you get home.
The first few days you will need to focus on ice, self-care, ice, rest, ice and may need help positioning in bed, doing basic therapy exercises, with showering, etc. You will not be doing laundry, cooking, caring for someone else...these are major surgeries, and you cannot recuperate and try to be a caregiver at the same time.
Do you have family members who you can truly rely on for this daily assistance for at least a week? If not, now is the time to look into how you will handle it. If you spend at least 72 hours in the hospital, home care, household help with ADL (activities of daily living) and home PT can be prescribed and paid for through Medicare. Maybe that is why the doc would like you to stay? Like all else in the marketplace right now, home care is in short supply, so you need to arrange it in advance. The hospital social worker or your state office on aging can help you with resources.
Have you been thinking about any of these details yet? Don't let it overwhelm you - there are plenty of people on Connect who can step up with suggestions.
Keep asking questions, and keep your goal in mind - fixing the @#$%& pain!
Sue
Yes, thank you again. I will see my dr in a few days and will ask him questions about recovery, also about the details of what and how he expects to do it. I've been getting cold feet again but I suppose I will take the risks. Since I am virtually immobilized now (I can walk but with great pain, so therefore cannot do what I need to do, I sit a lot) I hope the surgery will certainly help. I'll keep in touch with you all, I've been encouraged by the replies. We will arrange for care for my husband, although it is very expensive. We don't qualify for 'free' government assistance for home care. P.S. As far as ADL from Medicare, like washing and bathing, the helper was always in a rush when she was treating my husband, she washed him only and did not do anything like laundry, making him lunch, etc. I shall inquire even further if I can. Regards.
Yes, thank you again. I will see my dr in a few days and will ask him questions about recovery, also about the details of what and how he expects to do it. I've been getting cold feet again but I suppose I will take the risks. Since I am virtually immobilized now (I can walk but with great pain, so therefore cannot do what I need to do, I sit a lot) I hope the surgery will certainly help. I'll keep in touch with you all, I've been encouraged by the replies. We will arrange for care for my husband, although it is very expensive. We don't qualify for 'free' government assistance for home care. P.S. As far as ADL from Medicare, like washing and bathing, the helper was always in a rush when she was treating my husband, she washed him only and did not do anything like laundry, making him lunch, etc. I shall inquire even further if I can. Regards.
Hi Cindi - Post-surgical home care is different than longer term care under Medicare rules. Also, specific orders can be written to include meal prep, laundry, etc for a short time. It is well worth checking, and the doctor probably won't be very helpful about resources, but he will need to write the orders.
If you have a Medicare insurance supplement, that is where to ask about making arrangements. Also for home PT for a couple weeks...
Sue
Cindi - Not only do you need to arrange to stay in the hospital for a few days as your doctor suggests, you need to arrange help for you and your husband for at least a couple weeks after you get home.
The first few days you will need to focus on ice, self-care, ice, rest, ice and may need help positioning in bed, doing basic therapy exercises, with showering, etc. You will not be doing laundry, cooking, caring for someone else...these are major surgeries, and you cannot recuperate and try to be a caregiver at the same time.
Do you have family members who you can truly rely on for this daily assistance for at least a week? If not, now is the time to look into how you will handle it. If you spend at least 72 hours in the hospital, home care, household help with ADL (activities of daily living) and home PT can be prescribed and paid for through Medicare. Maybe that is why the doc would like you to stay? Like all else in the marketplace right now, home care is in short supply, so you need to arrange it in advance. The hospital social worker or your state office on aging can help you with resources.
Have you been thinking about any of these details yet? Don't let it overwhelm you - there are plenty of people on Connect who can step up with suggestions.
Keep asking questions, and keep your goal in mind - fixing the @#$%& pain!
Sue
Thank you, I am reviewing my messages as the time draws near for the surgery. I'll check with Medicare insofar as ADL is concerned. I'm wondering how and if I can get out of bed the first few days when I'm home. I asked the doctor's office yesterday to tell me again which type of surgery he expects to do (he told me but I did not write it down) -- whether it's lateral, or whatever. He told me (I don't think it's lateral, he said from his experience the surgery he performs has a better long-term rate) but I forgot. My concern today and I can't call his office because he's out today -- is how am I going to get out of bed? All of this anxiety is making me think I should put off the surgery for a while until I'm comfortable (not in the dark) about going into it although I think he's a good surgeon.
Thank you, I am reviewing my messages as the time draws near for the surgery. I'll check with Medicare insofar as ADL is concerned. I'm wondering how and if I can get out of bed the first few days when I'm home. I asked the doctor's office yesterday to tell me again which type of surgery he expects to do (he told me but I did not write it down) -- whether it's lateral, or whatever. He told me (I don't think it's lateral, he said from his experience the surgery he performs has a better long-term rate) but I forgot. My concern today and I can't call his office because he's out today -- is how am I going to get out of bed? All of this anxiety is making me think I should put off the surgery for a while until I'm comfortable (not in the dark) about going into it although I think he's a good surgeon.
Oh, Yes, you will be able to get in and out of bed! They will have you getting up the day of surgery, or at least the day after. And PT will come to your room and show you how to do things safely.
After my hip surgery, I would swivel around on the bed & put my feet down, then reach for my crutches (propped against the wall at the head of the bed) and stand up. (I was stubborn and wouldn't use a walker, which surely would have been easier.)
And yes, yes, yes - Medicare will cover ADL assistance plus nurse visits if needed and home PT to help do your exercises. But due to staff shortages, etc it is best to arrange it before you go to the hospital.
May I suggest that you will have an easier time getting help with doing that from the hospital social worker than by trying to call Medicare? They know all the local resources and it will be much less frustrating for you!
Also, you need to make sure your husband's needs are covered - while you are in the hospital and after you get home. You will not be able to care for him for at least a couple of weeks. Do you have any family nearby who can help? Otherwise, again, turn to the hospital social worker to help figure it out. They are experts at it.
Please don't be afraid to go forward - you have done your research, and found a doctor, gotten the answers about what you need, etc. Now you need to take a deep breath and get rid of that pain!
What other questions can I help with today? When is surgery scheduled?
Sue
Oh, Yes, you will be able to get in and out of bed! They will have you getting up the day of surgery, or at least the day after. And PT will come to your room and show you how to do things safely.
After my hip surgery, I would swivel around on the bed & put my feet down, then reach for my crutches (propped against the wall at the head of the bed) and stand up. (I was stubborn and wouldn't use a walker, which surely would have been easier.)
And yes, yes, yes - Medicare will cover ADL assistance plus nurse visits if needed and home PT to help do your exercises. But due to staff shortages, etc it is best to arrange it before you go to the hospital.
May I suggest that you will have an easier time getting help with doing that from the hospital social worker than by trying to call Medicare? They know all the local resources and it will be much less frustrating for you!
Also, you need to make sure your husband's needs are covered - while you are in the hospital and after you get home. You will not be able to care for him for at least a couple of weeks. Do you have any family nearby who can help? Otherwise, again, turn to the hospital social worker to help figure it out. They are experts at it.
Please don't be afraid to go forward - you have done your research, and found a doctor, gotten the answers about what you need, etc. Now you need to take a deep breath and get rid of that pain!
What other questions can I help with today? When is surgery scheduled?
Sue
Ah, thank you for asking if I have other questions. I do. I have so many that I'm thinking to put off the surgery for a week or two, but not yet. I've spoken to Medicare many times today and kind of got the same answers with variations. The upsetting news is that I was under the impression that I could qualify for 28 hours a week for about three weeks with a doctor's prescription. Medicare representatives told me this would be for ADL (Assisted Daily Living) but when I spoke to the home health care agencies here they said no, They said Medicare does not pay for that in terms of having someone stay with me a few hours several times a week to help with daily activities such as getting out of bed -- putting together a sandwich, and other needed activities if I can't easily walk with a walker the first few days. The agencies said they could provide a nurse to assess the situation, physical therapist, and someone to help me wash up for maybe 35-45 minutes. I'm afraid I won't be able to change my underpants for a while, so this disturbs me. The agencies (I called a few because I guess I didn't understand what Medicare told me about home health care) told me that Medicare doesn't provide that for Florida. (Huh?) Medicare said that wasn't true -- that it's the same in every state. But then the Medicare rep said he really didn't know the in's and out's of it -- and one agency told me that Medicare pays per hour, so I don't know what that means. THEREFORE I am thinking I may need to go into a skilled nursing facility for a few days to get used to my situation and have the help I may need. Now I have a few questions more. So if you can put up with me and my ranting, that would be appreciated. Still intending to have the surgery. But! I do have more questions.
Oh, Yes, you will be able to get in and out of bed! They will have you getting up the day of surgery, or at least the day after. And PT will come to your room and show you how to do things safely.
After my hip surgery, I would swivel around on the bed & put my feet down, then reach for my crutches (propped against the wall at the head of the bed) and stand up. (I was stubborn and wouldn't use a walker, which surely would have been easier.)
And yes, yes, yes - Medicare will cover ADL assistance plus nurse visits if needed and home PT to help do your exercises. But due to staff shortages, etc it is best to arrange it before you go to the hospital.
May I suggest that you will have an easier time getting help with doing that from the hospital social worker than by trying to call Medicare? They know all the local resources and it will be much less frustrating for you!
Also, you need to make sure your husband's needs are covered - while you are in the hospital and after you get home. You will not be able to care for him for at least a couple of weeks. Do you have any family nearby who can help? Otherwise, again, turn to the hospital social worker to help figure it out. They are experts at it.
Please don't be afraid to go forward - you have done your research, and found a doctor, gotten the answers about what you need, etc. Now you need to take a deep breath and get rid of that pain!
What other questions can I help with today? When is surgery scheduled?
Sue
Thanks about the suggestion to speak to the social worker at the hospital. I will also call them tomorrow and ask about that. Surgery is scheduled for the 24th. The hospital is ok so far, asking me to come in the day before to go over things with them, so I guess I can ask questions there, too. We have some help to come in for my husband 3X a week. Not cheap but right now we can afford it. I have others I can call. We really don't have family to come in (no children, no siblings), but we do have some friends that can check on my husband to make sure he did not fall. We gave two good friends a key to the apartment if they can't get my husband on the phone. So we're covered that way. I can hire someone I think to come in for a few hours a day, my husband says he can get by. I kidded with him and said he's probably glad to get rid of me for a few days. His sense of humor is not like mine. 🙂 So he didn't laugh. I guess at a certain point I've got to stop fretting and trust God. I believe He's helping me. 🙂 Thanks for your helpful response.
Oh, Yes, you will be able to get in and out of bed! They will have you getting up the day of surgery, or at least the day after. And PT will come to your room and show you how to do things safely.
After my hip surgery, I would swivel around on the bed & put my feet down, then reach for my crutches (propped against the wall at the head of the bed) and stand up. (I was stubborn and wouldn't use a walker, which surely would have been easier.)
And yes, yes, yes - Medicare will cover ADL assistance plus nurse visits if needed and home PT to help do your exercises. But due to staff shortages, etc it is best to arrange it before you go to the hospital.
May I suggest that you will have an easier time getting help with doing that from the hospital social worker than by trying to call Medicare? They know all the local resources and it will be much less frustrating for you!
Also, you need to make sure your husband's needs are covered - while you are in the hospital and after you get home. You will not be able to care for him for at least a couple of weeks. Do you have any family nearby who can help? Otherwise, again, turn to the hospital social worker to help figure it out. They are experts at it.
Please don't be afraid to go forward - you have done your research, and found a doctor, gotten the answers about what you need, etc. Now you need to take a deep breath and get rid of that pain!
What other questions can I help with today? When is surgery scheduled?
Sue
@sueinmn
P.S. I called a couple of skilled nursing rehab centers and asked how will I get from the hospital to the rehab place, they told me if the hospital doesn't arrange for it, they will. So naturally with my personality I have to make sure that I won't be charged extra for that transportation. I don't like surprises. I know I won't be able to drive for a few weeks, I read that it's the pain medication that may stop me from driving as well as not being able to maneuver my leg too well, but I can cope with pain without taking strong medication I THINK. As far as the leg being maneuvered, I'll see about that as time goes on. Thanks again.
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Well Cindi, the bad news is that for the first few weeks you need to be careful to keep the hip aligned and legs uncrossed, so you will need to sleep on your back. I'm a side sleeper but learned to manage (have had 5 hip replacement surgeries over years). One thing we did was put soft pillows on both sides of my torso to mimic being on my side and used a more supportive pillow under head and neck. Soon enough you will be able to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
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5 ReactionsThanks for responding. Five hip replacement surgeries? Me oh my. I will work on getting long pillows maybe? to put on both sides so I don't inadvertantly turn over in my sleep. I'm constantly tossing and turning. I guess I'll fall asleep, although I'm so much more comfortable on my side. My doctor suggested I stay in the hospital for a few days because of my age. I am appreciative of that, but I told him I didn't want to stay because I have a handicapped husband. He said ok. But now I'm thinking maybe I should stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery, even so I can be monitored as to sleeping position.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionCindi - Not only do you need to arrange to stay in the hospital for a few days as your doctor suggests, you need to arrange help for you and your husband for at least a couple weeks after you get home.
The first few days you will need to focus on ice, self-care, ice, rest, ice and may need help positioning in bed, doing basic therapy exercises, with showering, etc. You will not be doing laundry, cooking, caring for someone else...these are major surgeries, and you cannot recuperate and try to be a caregiver at the same time.
Do you have family members who you can truly rely on for this daily assistance for at least a week? If not, now is the time to look into how you will handle it. If you spend at least 72 hours in the hospital, home care, household help with ADL (activities of daily living) and home PT can be prescribed and paid for through Medicare. Maybe that is why the doc would like you to stay? Like all else in the marketplace right now, home care is in short supply, so you need to arrange it in advance. The hospital social worker or your state office on aging can help you with resources.
Have you been thinking about any of these details yet? Don't let it overwhelm you - there are plenty of people on Connect who can step up with suggestions.
Keep asking questions, and keep your goal in mind - fixing the @#$%& pain!
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsYes, thank you again. I will see my dr in a few days and will ask him questions about recovery, also about the details of what and how he expects to do it. I've been getting cold feet again but I suppose I will take the risks. Since I am virtually immobilized now (I can walk but with great pain, so therefore cannot do what I need to do, I sit a lot) I hope the surgery will certainly help. I'll keep in touch with you all, I've been encouraged by the replies. We will arrange for care for my husband, although it is very expensive. We don't qualify for 'free' government assistance for home care. P.S. As far as ADL from Medicare, like washing and bathing, the helper was always in a rush when she was treating my husband, she washed him only and did not do anything like laundry, making him lunch, etc. I shall inquire even further if I can. Regards.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi Cindi - Post-surgical home care is different than longer term care under Medicare rules. Also, specific orders can be written to include meal prep, laundry, etc for a short time. It is well worth checking, and the doctor probably won't be very helpful about resources, but he will need to write the orders.
If you have a Medicare insurance supplement, that is where to ask about making arrangements. Also for home PT for a couple weeks...
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you, I am reviewing my messages as the time draws near for the surgery. I'll check with Medicare insofar as ADL is concerned. I'm wondering how and if I can get out of bed the first few days when I'm home. I asked the doctor's office yesterday to tell me again which type of surgery he expects to do (he told me but I did not write it down) -- whether it's lateral, or whatever. He told me (I don't think it's lateral, he said from his experience the surgery he performs has a better long-term rate) but I forgot. My concern today and I can't call his office because he's out today -- is how am I going to get out of bed? All of this anxiety is making me think I should put off the surgery for a while until I'm comfortable (not in the dark) about going into it although I think he's a good surgeon.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsOh, Yes, you will be able to get in and out of bed! They will have you getting up the day of surgery, or at least the day after. And PT will come to your room and show you how to do things safely.
After my hip surgery, I would swivel around on the bed & put my feet down, then reach for my crutches (propped against the wall at the head of the bed) and stand up. (I was stubborn and wouldn't use a walker, which surely would have been easier.)
And yes, yes, yes - Medicare will cover ADL assistance plus nurse visits if needed and home PT to help do your exercises. But due to staff shortages, etc it is best to arrange it before you go to the hospital.
May I suggest that you will have an easier time getting help with doing that from the hospital social worker than by trying to call Medicare? They know all the local resources and it will be much less frustrating for you!
Also, you need to make sure your husband's needs are covered - while you are in the hospital and after you get home. You will not be able to care for him for at least a couple of weeks. Do you have any family nearby who can help? Otherwise, again, turn to the hospital social worker to help figure it out. They are experts at it.
Please don't be afraid to go forward - you have done your research, and found a doctor, gotten the answers about what you need, etc. Now you need to take a deep breath and get rid of that pain!
What other questions can I help with today? When is surgery scheduled?
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAh, thank you for asking if I have other questions. I do. I have so many that I'm thinking to put off the surgery for a week or two, but not yet. I've spoken to Medicare many times today and kind of got the same answers with variations. The upsetting news is that I was under the impression that I could qualify for 28 hours a week for about three weeks with a doctor's prescription. Medicare representatives told me this would be for ADL (Assisted Daily Living) but when I spoke to the home health care agencies here they said no, They said Medicare does not pay for that in terms of having someone stay with me a few hours several times a week to help with daily activities such as getting out of bed -- putting together a sandwich, and other needed activities if I can't easily walk with a walker the first few days. The agencies said they could provide a nurse to assess the situation, physical therapist, and someone to help me wash up for maybe 35-45 minutes. I'm afraid I won't be able to change my underpants for a while, so this disturbs me. The agencies (I called a few because I guess I didn't understand what Medicare told me about home health care) told me that Medicare doesn't provide that for Florida. (Huh?) Medicare said that wasn't true -- that it's the same in every state. But then the Medicare rep said he really didn't know the in's and out's of it -- and one agency told me that Medicare pays per hour, so I don't know what that means. THEREFORE I am thinking I may need to go into a skilled nursing facility for a few days to get used to my situation and have the help I may need. Now I have a few questions more. So if you can put up with me and my ranting, that would be appreciated. Still intending to have the surgery. But! I do have more questions.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks about the suggestion to speak to the social worker at the hospital. I will also call them tomorrow and ask about that. Surgery is scheduled for the 24th. The hospital is ok so far, asking me to come in the day before to go over things with them, so I guess I can ask questions there, too. We have some help to come in for my husband 3X a week. Not cheap but right now we can afford it. I have others I can call. We really don't have family to come in (no children, no siblings), but we do have some friends that can check on my husband to make sure he did not fall. We gave two good friends a key to the apartment if they can't get my husband on the phone. So we're covered that way. I can hire someone I think to come in for a few hours a day, my husband says he can get by. I kidded with him and said he's probably glad to get rid of me for a few days. His sense of humor is not like mine. 🙂 So he didn't laugh. I guess at a certain point I've got to stop fretting and trust God. I believe He's helping me. 🙂 Thanks for your helpful response.
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1 Reaction@sueinmn
P.S. I called a couple of skilled nursing rehab centers and asked how will I get from the hospital to the rehab place, they told me if the hospital doesn't arrange for it, they will. So naturally with my personality I have to make sure that I won't be charged extra for that transportation. I don't like surprises. I know I won't be able to drive for a few weeks, I read that it's the pain medication that may stop me from driving as well as not being able to maneuver my leg too well, but I can cope with pain without taking strong medication I THINK. As far as the leg being maneuvered, I'll see about that as time goes on. Thanks again.
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