If your loved one has been struggling to breathe, learning that he is now able to receive a lung transplant is often celebrated news. He can look forward to replacing his diseased lung with a healthy lung and being able to enjoy breathing easily again. Since physical therapy services will be a key part of your loved one’s recovery, having someone come to the home to help him with his physical therapy can be a great way to ensure he gets all the physical therapy he needs in a safe and calm environment.
Common Reasons for Lung Transplants
Lung transplants are offered to individuals who are in reasonably good health. While in years past, only the younger generations received lung transplants, now an elderly person in his 60s or 70s may become eligible for this life-changing surgery.
Lung transplants are offered to those who have severe chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Your loved one will have gone through a series of tests before the transplant to ensure they are physically and mentally able to recover from the surgery and benefit from the transplant. From there, it’s a matter of waiting until a proper transplant can be located.
Top Tips for a Healthy Lung Transplant Recovery
Before we list the top five tips for recovering after the surgery, it’s important to list some key tips for a successful transplant that should happen before the surgery.
Stay as physically fit as possible. One of the biggest keys to a good recovery is entering it in the best shape possible. A stronger body will recover more quickly.
Have a great support system set up. Your loved one will need a lot of help during his recovery. Getting that all lined up before the surgery will prevent any gaps in his care.
Be emotionally healthy, or have emotional support set up. There will be times when your loved one will feel depressed or anxious during his recovery. Having a safe place to discuss and work through those emotions already in place will help his recovery.
Five Tips Once Your Loved One Gets Home
Follow the recommended diet. Your loved one will be asked to limit the intake of sugar, sodium, and processed items as he heals and focus on consuming lean proteins and high-fiber foods.
Avoid smoking and alcohol. Both can do damage to the new transplant and should be completely avoided at all times.
Get regular sleep. Staying on a regular sleep schedule is important for your loved one to provide his body with the rest it needs to recover from the surgery.
Avoid some pet duties. Your loved one should seek help with pets that shed. If he has a cat, someone else needs to take care of the kitty litter duties until his lungs are stronger.
Get moving and exercise. The lungs will need to be slowly strengthened by daily exercise.
Physical Therapy at Home for Lung Transplants
A transplant can make getting to and from appointments especially difficult as your loved one battles fatigue and tries to avoid contact with outside germs and viruses. A trained provider coming to the home to provide physical therapy is one way to help your loved one stay safe and well during his recovery period.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Physical Therapy Services in Palmetto, GA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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