Get your house ready at least 2 weeks before your scheduled surgery If you cannot do it yourself, ask someone for help. Doing these things ahead of time will help to make your return home easier.
- Remove clutter from rooms and hallways. Make sure there is nothing you can trip on.
- Organize your living areas so that you do not have to do too much lifting, bending, or reaching.
- Move heavy objects and things you use often to an area at waist level (counter height).
- Do some cooking and store meals and soups in the freezer so you have plenty of things to eat. You may want to move some of the things in the lower part of your refrigerator and freezer to higher shelves to make them easier to reach.
- If you have steps, you may want to set up a place to sleep on the main floor of your home for a short while.
- Set up a firm chair with armrests.
- Arrange for extra help with household tasks if you think you will need it.
TIP: Keep an icepack in your freezer in case of joint swelling after surgery. You can also use a bag of frozen peas.