How to Help a Senior Recover From Open Heart Surgery

Making the commitment to help a senior recover from open heart surgery can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, most patients start to show signs of recovery after 6 to 8 weeks. You can improve recovery time and success by following the hospital's instructions and making things easier for the patient.

Instructions

• 1

  Encourage the patient to increase activity gradually and to walk every day as recommended by his physician. Make sure he paces himself and doesn't do too much at once.

• 2

  Assist her with activities that she cannot do, such as lifting items that weigh more than 20 lbs. or anything that requires holding her arms above shoulder level for a long period of time. Patients shouldn't walk up and down stairs more than once a day. If she needs something that's upstairs, bring it downstairs for her. Take over any activities that require mental function, like paying bills or balancing a checkbook, for a few weeks after surgery.

• 3

  Watch for signs of depression. Be available to talk over his feelings. Encourage him to get dressed every day, visit with people, resume activities and hobbies and join a support group. If he seems very depressed or suicidal, call a suicide hotline or his physician immediately or take him to an emergency room.

• 4

  Assist with cleaning the incision. Look for problems with the incision, like redness, oozing or opening. Check that the patient's temperature and blood sugar are normal. Ask how she feels and call her doctor about pain in the rib cage or chest pain.

• 5

  Purchase and prepare food according to instructions given at the hospital. Make frequent small meals if the patient doesn't have much of an appetite.

• 6

  Talk to the patient's doctor about exercise and rehabilitation. Look for local programs at the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation website (see Resources below). Take the patient to programs or arrange to have someone take him.

• 7

  Help the patient to learn the types of medication she needs to take, the dosage and the time of day to take them. Make sure she doesn't take any other medications unless she checks with the doctor first.