Providers of elderly home care services share that the most common reason for hip replacement for seniors is osteoarthritis. The weakness that osteoarthritis causes may lead to a fall or another injury which can create an emergency need for surgery. If hip replacement is a choice, providers of elderly home care services recommend your parent review the options set before them by their doctor.  In some instances, a doctor may introduce physical therapy to strengthen the hip. Aquatic therapy is an excellent form of exercise that many older adults find easy to do as it puts less impact on the body while providing positive results. In addition to exercise, walking aids and properly fitting shoes to stabilize the feet when walking may alleviate pain and correct some of the hip issues by either delaying or offsetting surgery.

The professionals at elderly home care services agencies states that the decision to have a hip replacement is one that will be made between your mother or father’s doctor and your parent. Your mom or dad’s current health and their ability to rehabilitate after the surgery are imperative for the hip replacement to be successful. What your parent may expect after surgery is to start bearing weight on their new hip and begin taking steps (with a walker) right away. Physical and occupational therapists will begin working with your loved one immediately and you may expect that mom or dad will be exhausted from each step they take.

Each day your parent will get stronger. Providers of elderly home care services can help encourage them to get up and not just sit. It’s not about overdoing, however, it’s more about using the new hip and learning to make it work with the rest of the body. In between physical therapy an extra walk, stretch, or even standing rather than sitting will be a healthy step to improve mom or dad’s ability to keep moving through life.