To support a loved one who will be recovering from hip replacement surgery, families can prepare by gathering items such as a walker or a shower bench, and plan for a caregiver to assist their loved one with meals, medication reminders, and daily activities. This may be a family caregiver, a hired in-home caregiver, or a combination of both. Here’s what you need to know to plan for your loved one’s recovery from hip replacement surgery so that all their care needs are met.
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Preparation for a loved one’s recovery from hip replacement surgery begins before surgery. The following steps can help make their recovery as smooth and safe as possible.
Knowing where your loved one will recover after hip surgery is vital for creating a plan for postoperative caregiving. For instance, if your loved one will recover in their own home, they may already have items such as a shower bench or elevated toilet seat. If they’ll be in your home or the home of another relative, those items may need to be rented.
If possible, accompany your loved one to their preoperative appointment so that you learn what to expect during recovery. Ask the doctor about how you can help your loved one with:
Request that their doctor write or print out instructions so you can reread them as necessary.
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After speaking with your loved one’s doctor and medical team, it’s a good idea to gather the supplies they’ll need when they come home while they’re still in the hospital. This will make it easier to transition from hospital to home and prevent you from needing to scramble for supplies at the last minute.
Your loved one will be unsteady on their feet in the early days of recovery, so consider making a few minor safety modifications to the home, such as grab bars installed in or near the shower or bathtub, and handrails along stairs.
You may want to rent or purchase the following items to help your loved one recover more safely and comfortably at home:
To help reduce the risk of falls and make moving around easier, consider:
Consult with your loved one before gathering these supplies to understand their preferences and to respect their autonomy. Encourage them to help shape their home recovery environment.
Arrange for someone to drive your loved one home after surgery and take them to post-surgery doctor appointments. Ask your loved one’s care team for instructions on getting into and riding in a private vehicle after surgery.
Your loved one will likely be restricted from driving after surgery based on their pain level, mobility, strength, reaction time, ability to brake safely, and whether they’re taking opioid pain medication or other medications that can impair driving. A temporary disabled parking placard may be obtained from their state government; this will allow you or another caregiver to park in spaces designated for people who have disabilities.
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In the weeks after hip replacement surgery, your loved one may need a lot of help. That’s why it’s important to talk with your loved one about the following before surgery:
You have several caregiver options for your loved one. These include:
| If this describes your situation | A care option to consider | Why it may be a good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Your loved one only needs short-term help with meals, transportation, and reminders | Family caregiving | May work well if someone can be present consistently during early recovery |
| Your loved one needs help bathing, dressing, walking, or getting in and out of bed | In-home care | Can reduce physical strain on family caregivers and provide hands-on support |
| Your loved one needs wound care, therapy, or medical monitoring at home | Home health care | Often ordered by a doctor and may be covered for qualified individuals |
| Family caregivers live far away or have limited availability | Temporary in-home care | Can provide additional support during recovery |
| Recovery at home is no longer safe or manageable | Assisted living or short-term rehab | May provide more consistent support if recovery needs become more intensive |
Typical hip replacement surgery recovery can take weeks to months. Most people can resume light activities after three to six weeks.[02] Full recovery can take at least one year after surgery, though some people may recover faster. Your loved one’s overall health and fitness will affect their recovery trajectory.[02]
Recovery time can also be influenced by the following:
Your loved one may have pain, fatigue, or feel groggy as anesthesia and medications wear off. However, new or worsening confusion, disorientation, unusual sleepiness, agitation, hallucinations, or trouble paying attention should be reported promptly to their medical team after surgery.
You may need to assist your loved one with recovery instructions given by their medical care team. This can include:
After surgery, your loved one’s medical care team will likely ask you to watch for signs of complications. While the complication rate is low for hip replacement surgery, it’s important to be aware of signs of infection or blood clots as directed by your loved one’s surgeon.[02]
Make sure your loved one attends follow-up appointments. These visits play a vital role in ensuring a successful recovery.
With a hip replacement, referrals for physical therapy and occupational therapy are common. These rehabilitation therapies help your loved one practice life activities, such as climbing stairs or getting out of a chair.[03]
The recovery period after hip replacement surgery can be scary for your loved one, so that recovery takes time and let them know you’re there to support them.
While encouraging your loved one to rest during their recovery, it’s also important to help them not feel alone and isolated. Here are ways to offer emotional support:
Even short-term caregiving can take a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical wellness. So, practice self-care to prevent caregiver burnout throughout this time.
If you do experience burnout while caring for your loved one, consider respite care. Hiring an in-home caregiver for a few hours each day or a few days each week will give you time to rest and recharge.
Another option is to share caretaking responsibilities with friends and other family members so that no one person carries the burden of full-time caregiving.
As your loved one’s recovery progresses, you may find they need more or less support than you originally expected. These situations can help you decide what level of care makes sense.
Identifying a caregiver for your recovering loved one is an important preparation step. Here are options:
Family caregiving may be enough if:
Temporary in-home care may be a good choice if:
Consider a short-term stay in a rehabilitation setting, such as a nursing home, a skilled nursing facility, or an assisted living community. The right setting depends on your loved one’s needs, including:
The best recovery plan depends on your loved one’s mobility, medical needs, and the amount of help your family can realistically provide. If family and friends can safely meet your loved one’s needs, they may be able to recover successfully at home. If they need more support, in-home care or home health care can help fill caregiving gaps during recovery. And if recovering at home isn’t safe or practical, a short-term stay in assisted living may be a better option. Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom can help you compare local in-home care and assisted living options so you can choose the level of support that’s right for your loved one.
A person may qualify for Medicare-covered part-time or intermittent home health aide services when they are also receiving qualifying skilled services such as skilled nursing.
Items such as a walker, shower chair, elevated toilet seat, grab bars, reaching tool, and long-handled shoehorn can help your loved one move safely and complete daily activities during the first few weeks of recovery.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023, August). Hip Replacement Surgery.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Total hip replacement.
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