Hip replacement, living alone and with responsibility for pet.

I’m going in for my hip replacement in two weeks’ time and thought it might be helpful to share some of the preparation I’ve had to do, especially as I live alone in a house with stairs and own a cat, whose needs also have to be catered for. I’ve found the discussions on this forum really helpful for preparing, but everyone’s circumstances are different and having a pet when living alone does complicate things.

I found it really helpful to do lots of preparation in advance to make my home more accessible both before and after the op, including asking for an OT assessment via Social Services, which was helpful for getting grab rails in place, a wheeled trolley for downstairs and a perching stool for occasional use when required. I also ordered lots of gadgets to help with mobility, including a dressing stick, chair raiser cushion and leg lifter.

With needing to care for my cat, and conscious that I won’t be able to bend down, I made sure I bought bowls that could be lifted with a grabber and also found a long-handled pet bowl, which I have yet to use but which could be really handy after the op.

As well as ordering plenty of supplies in advance and getting some instant meals into the freezer for the first few days on my return, for the first two weeks after I’m discharged I’ve booked a care company that specialises in short-term post-hospital care and also works with pets, so that they can help me around the house and also with tasks such as taking care of my cat and clearing out the litter etc.

I found ordering my own crutches very helpful, as I was struggling to get around indoors with just a stick, and it has also prepared me for using crutches after the op.

I’ve also been doing lots of exercises for strengthening my body in preparation, including some of the ones on the VA website. So although walking is now pretty difficult, and impossible without a stick, I am trying to make sure that I am maintaining muscular fitness and strength as much as possible to aid recovery.

One thing I hadn’t anticipated was the need to be prepared for lots of additional appointments shortly before the operation. I thought the scheduled pre-op would be it, but then there are further appointments at the last minute for further blood tests and physio, so I wished I had kept more time free in the weeks before the op. It was difficult, though, as I also needed to make sure I had a dental check-up, get my hair and nails cut in advance and sort out various other things before I went in.

I also have to use the anti-microbial wash for several days before the op, as others have mentioned, as well as changing towels daily. Fortunately they didn’t tell me to change my bedclothes every day, as that would have been a real strain, as I hadn’t thought to schedule in any help around the house before going in.

I think I’m just about prepared now, but understandably am very nervous about the procedure and how my recovery will be afterwards. And if I’ve missed anything, any extra advice would be welcome!