so far everyone has been so helpful. I live on my own and my children live in Canada with children.
What sort of help am i going to need if i have open heart surgery. Will i need to go into a nursing home is there much after care on the NHS. I am trying to figure out so my children stop worrying.
you will need to ascertain what help is available in your area - doubt if the NHS would help!
Two avenues for you to explore:
Your doctor’s group of surgeries should employ one or two “social prescribers”. See your practice leaflet online or phone the receptionist. Get an appointment with one of them.
And/or. Your local Social Services. In my case this is the County Council but your area might be different. They are very used to helping “post discharge” patients. They probably have a leaflet so pick one up from (your library??) somewhere and read it before you speak to them
Thank you so much with your prompt reply
It is my understanding that you cannot be discharged from hospital unless you have an adequate care plan in place to ensure you are catered for after discharge. If you dont have a normal e.g a partner at home this is usually organised between medical staff who are responsible for your care in hospital , the hospital social services team and perhaps the local authority team, perhaps even your local GP, all accordingly to needs. At some point when you are approaching readiness to to be discharged from hospital there should be a multi disciplinary team (MDT) meeting to assess your needs and match them to your requirements post discharge. That's how it used to be but who knows how it works now. And if you are able you may wish to consider an advocate to act with you and on your behalf and help when dealing with the authorities especially since you may not be feeling up to it, and they may be pushing to cut corners.
Thank you so much for your helpful reply its much appreciated.
You may need to do some of the organising yourself, due to the huge pressure on scarce services
I suggest that you look into local meals-on-wheels (which social services might find or you can pay yourself 00- also look into private sources of delivered ready meals, there are some good quality ones available. You may also need to cash in on offers of help from friends and neighbours and/or find paid help with domestic duties if you can afford it, social services might provide some funding initially, but you might also have to make a contribution.
I suggest that you do some research well before your surgery so that you can get your ducks in order before the surgery, or at least be prepared
Good luck
Hi I had my bypass 6 months ago my husband had the first week off after the operation and he helped make sure I had food and drinks I didn't need help with washing and dressing but do think I would of struggled to feed myself . He went back to work and I managed to make breakfast and lunches for myself . My brother had a bypass 4 years ago during covid , he lives alone and 150 miles from me. The hospital kept him in a couple of days longer and then he was escorted home by a nurse into his flat with his bits from the hospital. He had a nurse visit him at home every day for about 10 days I think to make sure he was okay . We are in scotland and as I said it was during covid so might be different now .it would definitely be worth exploring maybe home carers or similar for the first 10 days or so as I found it very tiring trying to do basic stuff . Good luck with it all
Thank you for your reply.
Hi I had a heart transplant four years ago and I lived alone, I was discharged at under three weeks.While I was in hospital the physio came every day and showed me how to climb the stairs and made sure I could manage all my personal care, after discharge I got a seat for the shower a walking stick and a Zimmer, that was all the help that was offered. I got my food and anything else I needed delivered as I couldn't drive, I could make meals but to be honest I wasn't hungry at first, I couldn't change my bed or hoover for a few weeks but I muddled by with everything else and after a week or so I started going out and walking round the block. you will be very tired but just take things slowly at first and you will get there, wishing you all the best for the operation, take care Char.
Hi
I had OHS to replace my Aortic valve 2 years ago. I live alone so I reached out to friends via Facebook about a month before surgery to ask for help. I was totally honest and just asked if anyone would be willing to join a WhatsApp group where I could add things that I needed help with each day.
I ended up with over 40 people in the group...some came to sit with me for a few hours, 1 cut my lawns, another took me out for drives, others did shopping , the list is endless. I couldn't have managed without them in the first couple of weeks though.
Asking for help isn't easy though.
Good luck
Joanne
as I understand it they won’t send you home alone. The guy in the bed opposite was sent back to stay with his elderly parents
I had been recently widowed and they put a care package in there place with carers attending a couple of times per day. This was cost covered by the NHS/ social services/Council for the first few weeks then financially assessed to see how much the patient can contribute
I never got to the point of contributing as I was well enough to cancel the carers after the few weeks
Hi Worrywart, for guidance when you leave hospital the ground rule will be that you must not lift anything of weight, especially the kettle. what County do you live in? I’m in Colchester Essex so if I am near you then you can put me on your list to help especially with the emotional support when you come out xx
Oh how kind of you but i wouldn’t expect you to come bombing down the A12 to Woodbridge but it did make make me smile.
I'm happy that I made you smile. You will need people to help you and the best place to start with is the hospital and Cardio team where you are having your surgery. They will put a care plan together for you as you will need meals, help with your beautiful surgical stockings that you will need to keep on. You will need front fastening bras and pyjamas that do up at the front as you will not be able to put your arms around your back. There will be a list of things you can and can't do and they will go through that with you.
I had OHS aged 52. I was discharged 9 days after the op. The main thing I needed help with getting the surgical stockings on and off (took off for my daily shower). My husband did meals to start with - but there's lots of things you can do to make it easier. If making a cuppa, only put 1 mugs worth of water in so it's not heavy. A 4 pint bottle of milk is too heavy do I kept some in a small jug in the fridge. Don't reach up for things - so put things you use frequently on the work top for ease of access. If you are able to get some meals/soups ready and freeze prior to your op, that may help. The main thing I found was overwhelming fatigue initially. For example, after a shower, I would have a lie down for 20 mins as I felt wiped out. If I pottered about too much, I would feel exhausted later or the day after. It's really important to go with what you body is telling you. If you need to rest, that is fine. Learn to pace yourself. Take each day as it comes, they will all be different and that's ok. Don't worry if you feel very emotional - that's natural after a big op such as this. I learnt early on not to be hard on myself, however I felt that day was fine and the next day would be different. Most important, be kind to yourself 🤗
Sound advice ,i had also read where it affects people emotionally , i think that probably worries me more than the physical side of it.
It is do-able but requires a lot of planning. 6 weeks worth of freezer meals with an accessible freezer - you may not be able to open the door/lid if it is heavy. Position everything at worktop height as you will not be able to reach up. A lightweight kettle. Driving is not allowed for 4 weeks or advised for 6 weeks so independent shopping is out the window- I put supplies of bread & milk in the freezer. Things like climbing in/out of a bath are not advised for 12 weeks to allow the sternum to heal - not easy if your shower is over the bath. You may need a stool in the shower too.
Where do you live - maybe anyone reading this and local to you could offer assistance.
Also I advise joining this Facebook group
UK Aortic Heart Defects Pre-Surgery Post-Surgery
facebook.com/groups/1864350...
for lots of friendly support & advice
Nhs links to post op care
hello, I am a social worker for adult services. You need to request for a care act assessment by your nearest local authority…. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, they could look at a short term service or a long term service, to support you…. They consider finances etc. I would ring sooner rather than later xx do you live at Canada at the moment or over here now? X
Thank you I will do that. My children emigrated to Canada for a better life, I am born and bred English.
I see. Best to ring the council and they will come out to visit you. Best of luck x
Thank you
Hello, I had my cabg 16 months ago & live alone. My brother came to see me everyday to see if I needed anything. My friends also called & brought food if needed. I managed ok to be honest, but as others have suggested I would check out any community care if needed. I'm sure if you need it after the op something would be arranged prior to you leaving hospital. Hope your op goes well x
Thank you 😀
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