.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
Do You Go Into Assisted Living After a Heart Transplant?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Some individuals may go into assisted living after a heart transplant. Immediately following surgery, heart transplant recipients must remain in the hospital until discharged by their physician; this usually takes a couple of weeks. After discharge, individuals must have a caregiver present 24/7, attend regular check-ups and follow all aftercare advice, including taking medications, exercising and keeping the surgery site clean.
Seniors may return home or to a family member’s house if they have a caregiver present at all times for the first few months following surgery. In-home care aides may provide additional visiting support services. On the other hand, some individuals may receive transitional care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, particularly if they live alone, with family members who work outside the home or reside far from the hospital. However, it’s essential to check that assisted living communities offer transitional services alongside long-term care.
Necessary assistance after a heart transplant
Individuals can’t drive while the incision site is healing — about 6 to 8 weeks — so they often need help with transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and running errands. Individuals must attend frequent follow-up outpatient appointments, starting from twice weekly and reducing to once every 1 or 2 months. Additionally, people shouldn’t lift heavy weights while recovering after surgery. Because assisted living communities typically provide transportation and housekeeping and laundry services, they may offer the practical support necessary for somebody to heal after surgery.
Good nutrition is also vital following heart surgery; assisted living includes meals, and many facilities work with dieticians and nutritionists to create healthy menus for residents. Furthermore, many communities have around-the-clock staffing, which is essential for monitoring residents’ well-being. Depending on the state and facilities’ licensing terms, some assisted living communities may have staff members who can help with medication management.When assisted living may not be suitable
Anyone who experiences complications following heart surgery may require a prolonged hospital stay or 24/7 supervision, as provided in skilled nursing facilities. Ordinarily, many individuals can manage their hygiene routines following a heart transplant. Indeed, people should strive to live as independently as possible, under the watchful eye of a caregiver. While assisted living communities help with personal care, which may aid frail seniors, they don’t typically provide skilled nursing services. Therefore, individuals who require wound care to maintain their surgery site may be better suited for nursing home care. Additionally, older adults who need assistance with rehabilitative exercises may also find nursing facilities a more appropriate transitional care setting.Most people fully recover within 6 months following a heart transplant and can resume their regular life activities independently, subject to recommended lifestyle changes, regular medical evaluations and daily medications.