Caregiver in Lexington OH
Being a caregiver is a multifaceted role. You love your parent and want to nurture and protect them so that they can live a happy and comfortable quality of life. At the same time you are a 
caregiver, which means that you need to address their physical, mental, and emotional needs in a way that keeps them healthy and safe. One time when these different facets combine is after your parent undergoes heart surgery.
Many people suffer from fears and anxiety after going through such a major procedure. If your elderly loved one is experiencing these fears it is important that you take the time to help them cope with those fears so that they can move forward and enjoy a healthy lifestyle after they recover.
Use these tips to help your parent cope with fears after their heart surgery:
- Acknowledge the fears. You may not want to make your parent feel uncomfortable, but it is important that they also not feel like they are alone in what they are facing. Feeling as though no one understands or appreciates their fears can make your parent feel overwhelmed and anxious. This can then lead them to dwell on their fears, exacerbating them in their mind until they are controlling their life. Rather than letting this happen, sit down with your parent and talk about their fears. Tell them that you know that they are feeling frightened and that you are there for them.
- Be there for them. Talk to your aging loved one about their fears and let them know that you are available for them to talk to and to encourage them when they need it. After you have done that, actually follow through with it. Check in on them when you are not in the home with them, ask them how they are doing, and offer support and positivity to make them feel strong and confident.
- Help them monitor their health. Most doctors recommend daily monitoring activities that help to keep track of your parent’s health after a heart surgery. This can include weighing themselves daily to make sure that they are not retaining fluid, taking their temperature daily over the course of the first three weeks to check for infection, and checking the surgery site to ensure proper healing.
- Team up with the doctor. Some seniors tend to be very trusting of doctors when it comes to their medical condition and health. If your parent is one of those seniors, use this to your benefit. Talk to their doctor about your parent’s fears and then meet with them and your parent to further the discussion. The doctor can explain to your parent how they are doing with their recovery and the importance of staying active. This doctor can provide information about how to eat, what activities to do, what treatments and prescriptions they need to follow, and what to look out for in terms of symptoms that may indicate the need for medical treatment.
If you are considering hiring caregiver services near Lexington, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300447.pdf
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