Understanding Home Health Care After Surgery

Recovering from surgery can be a challenge, but home health care can help make that process easier and safer. With personalized care provided in your home, you can recover with less stress while getting the support you need. Discover the benefits of home health care after surgery, the services provided, and how to prepare your home for a smooth recovery. 

Importance of Post-Surgery Care at Home

Home health care offers many advantages that can lead to a faster and more comfortable recovery. One of the biggest benefits is having a care plan tailored to your specific needs. Skilled nurses and therapists provide services such as nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication management and wound care. 

Personalized care plans can help you regain strength, improve mobility, and become more independent.  

Key Services Provided by Home Health Care

Home health care provides several services that are essential in supporting a safe and effective recovery after surgery: 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (PT) is essential after many types of surgery, especially joint replacements like hips or knees, where target rehabilitation can improve recovery outcomes.¹ Therapy helps: 

• Reduce pain 
• Rebuild muscle strength 
• Improve joint flexibility 
• Increase range of motion 

Without therapy, pain and stiffness can slow your recovery. A physical therapist will guide you through safe movements to speed healing and restore function. This can include teaching you how to manage activities like: 

• Walking safely using assistive devices like walkers or canes 
• Core-strengthening after spinal surgery to improve posture 

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) helps you return to everyday activities when pain, weakness, or limited mobility make them difficult. OT teaches practical strategies and uses tools to help with:  

• Regaining hand strength after wrist or hand surgery 
• Grooming and dressing with one hand after upper limb surgery 
• Managing energy to avoid fatigue and exhaustion 

Insurance Coverage for Post-Surgical Home Care

Insurance coverage varies for post-surgical home health care depending on your insurance plan and the type of care you need. Always check with your insurance provider to confirm your benefits. 

Medicare and Medicaid Options

Medicare typically covers 100% of skilled care services and medical supplies if: 

• A doctor is actively involved in overseeing your care plan. 
• Your doctor certifies the need for skilled care.  
• You receive care from a home health agency that is certified by Medicare. 
• You are considered homebound. 

Medicaid may cover both medical and non-medical home care services like:  

• Skilled nursing care 
• Physical, occupational or speech therapy 
• Home health aide support for daily living activities 
• Medical social work services 
• Medical equipment and supplies 
• Basic home modifications for safety 
• Nutritional counseling 

Medicaid coverage varies by state, so contact your local office to check your eligibility. 

Keep in mind that coverage for services like prescription medications or 24/7 in-home care may not be included, depending on your state’s Medicaid program. Be sure to check with your state Medicaid office for specific eligibility guidelines and a full list of covered services. 

Tips for a Successful Recovery at Home

Making your home safe before you return can reduce stress and help prevent falls or injuries. Here are tips to prepare you home room by room: 

General Safety

• Secure rugs with non-slip backing or double-sided tape. 
• Keep cords and cables out of walkways. 
• Ensure stairs have sturdy handrails. 
• Add nightlights in dark areas. 

Living Room:

• Use a firm, supportive chair that’s easy to get in and out of. 
• Keep essentials like the remote, books, medicines, and water within easy reach. 
• Have a cooler with snacks and drinks within reach. 

Bedroom:

• Set up a temporary sleeping space on the main floor if your bedroom is upstairs. 
• Make sure you can move around your bed if using a walker. 

Kitchen:

• Prepare or buy easy-to-heat meals and keep them within reach. 
• Store your most used pantry, refrigerated and frozen ingredients within easy reach. 

Bathroom:

• Apply nonslip strips to your bathtub or shower floor. 
• Use a nonslip bathmat outside of the bathtub or shower. 
• Install a nightlight. 
• Arrange towels, toilet paper and other frequently used items within easy reach. 
• Consider using a shower chair for seating or other assistive devices to help with bathing and dressing. 

How Friends and Family Can Help

Family members and friends play an important role in recovery. They can help with communication with the home health care staff and perform chores and other activities of daily living including the following: 

• Communication with health care providers 
• Medication reminders 
• Transportation to follow-up appointments 
• Running errands 
• Planning and preparing meals  
• Assisting in housekeeping and laundry 
• Assisting with bathing and toileting 
• Helping with mobility 
• Providing companionship and emotional support 

Nutrition Considerations for Post-Op Care

What you eat after surgery can help your body heal faster and reduce complications like constipation or infection. 

The first step in nutrition is to take a look at what your current diet includes. Do you need to eat more whole foods and decrease processed foods? Processed foods also contribute to inflammation, ² which is known to slow healing. 

Always talk with your physician before modifying your diet. 

Choose whole foods

• Fresh fruits and vegetables 
• Lean meats like chicken breast or fresh fish 
• Beans and legumes 

Avoid processed foods

• Sugary drinks like fruit punch/pop 
• Fried foods like onion rings, chicken nuggets, or fish sticks 
• Processed snacks like chips 
• Fast food burgers and fries 

Prevent Constipation

Constipation is common after surgery due to many pain medications. Being constipated can affect your appetite, increase pain levels and get in the way of healing. 

Foods that are low in fiber that you generally want to avoid include: ³ 

• Cheese 
• Processed meats, such as bacon and hot dogs 
• White bread, crackers and pasta 
• Surgery snacks and desserts 

Getting enough fiber is key to preventing constipation. With your doctor’s approval, consider adding these foods into your diet: ⁴ 

• Whole wheat bread 
• Oatmeal 
• Fresh fruits and vegetables 
• Dried fruits, especially prunes and prune juice (no sugar added) 
• Beans and legumes 
• Bran cereal 

A fiber supplement may help if approved by your doctor, but whole foods provide better nutrition.  

It’s also important to keep hydrated. Dehydration worsens constipation so it’s recommended to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, unless your doctor has recommended you restrict your fluid intake. Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can cause dehydration. 

Home Health Helps You Stay on Track

Home health care teams help educate patients and families, monitor progress, and keep in touch with your physician to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. At Amedisys, we’re dedicated to helping you recover safely at home with the care you need. Find out if Amedisys home health care is right for you by taking our eligibility quiz today. 

*Use of this material does not create physician-patient relationship. The information included in this material is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. This material may not include all information available on or related to the subject matter discussed herein. Consult your doctor or other professional healthcare providers with any questions regarding a medical condition or before starting or changing any treatment. 

TeRonna Hall, BSN, RN, CCP, serves as a Clinical Content Development Specialist at Amedisys. With 36 years of healthcare experience, including 34 years in home health, she is dedicated to educating others on health-related topics.