For at least six weeks after surgery, you will be using either crutches or a walker. As a result, you will likely require help with meal preparation and homemaking tasks. If help from family and friends is limited or unavailable, you may be able to access services such as Meals on Wheels or private homemaking. For more information, please visit the Southwest Healthline website.
Meal Preparation:
- Purchase food items ahead of time. to stock up prior to surgery.
- If able, try to prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them.
- Use a walker bag or backpack to carry items around the kitchen. You may also use apron with large pockets.
- Use a thermos or water bottle to carry liquids.
- Slide items along the countertop rather than carrying.
- Try to store items you use often at a level between your waist and shoulders. You may use a reacher for items out of reach.
- Take care when getting items from fridge (do not use lower drawers or shelves).
- Rather than bending to use the oven, try using the microwave or toaster oven.
- Do not load the lower rack of the dishwasher to avoid bending and twisting.
- Consider sitting on a high stool or chair when preparing food or washing dishes at the counter.
Shopping:
- Use canned or frozen foods to decrease the frequency of shopping trips.
- Consider having your groceries deliver for a small fee.
- Get help if available from family, friends or neighbours.
Laundry:
- Have family or friends do laundry for you.
- Reduce loads to a few items at a time. Use a bag or backpack to carry items.
- Use a reacher to load/unload the washer and dryer to avoid bending and twisting.
House Cleaning and Outdoor Work:
- You will need help for about 12 weeks for chores involving heavy lifting, bending or twisting.
- You should avoid carrying laundry or garbage, vacuuming, cleaning floors and changing bed linens.
- Hire assistance, if needed.
- For garbage removal, take out small amounts at a time if you do not have help.
