Your dad has many issues with tooth decay and gum disease. He’s undergoing surgery. Given his health and age, it’s recommended that you look into the benefits of home health care services for your dad. What can home care nurses do to help him during his recovery?
Medication Administration and IVs After a Gum Surgery
Home Health Care Glen Cove, NY: Recovering from Oral Surgery
Gum surgery requires pulling the gums away from the teeth, removing infected tissue and bacteria, scaling the teeth, and placing the gums back in place. Your dad will have stitches and may experience some swelling and bleeding.
He may need a nurse to help him determine if the bleeding and swelling are normal or the early signs of infection. A nurse can help with that.
Suppose he needs antibiotics to reduce the risk of or treat an infection. In that case, his nurse can administer IV antibiotics and fluids if he’s unable to eat or drink without extreme discomfort.
His nurse can also help him with any prescription pain medications. It lowers the risk of him overdosing. If the pain medications are not helping, the nurse can discuss other options with his surgeon.
Vital Signs
While your dad recovers, his health has to be carefully monitored, especially if he has other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. His home health care nurse can take his blood pressure, pulse, and check his blood sugar levels. If there are problems, the nurse can discuss steps to take with his doctors.
If his blood pressure increases with the medications he’s taking during his recovery, the nurse can relay that information to his doctors. They’ll work together to find the right balance of medicines without putting his health at risk of soaring blood pressure levels.
Assistance With Diet After an Oral Surgery
Diabetes can be difficult to manage after oral surgery. Your dad may not want to chew foods. He still needs to watch his sugar intake, so some nutritional shakes are ill-advised.
If he’s having a hard time with diet following oral surgery, a home health care nurse can help him carefully monitor his sugar levels and discuss ways to keep them balanced when he’s having a hard time eating.
How do you arrange visits from home health care nurses? Start by talking to your dad’s surgeon and ask about his recovery. Once you know what care he needs and the medications he’ll be taking, call a home health care agency to discuss the frequency of visits and the cost for home nurses.