One of the most important things you can do before hip replacement surgery is prepare your home for recovery. Trust me – you don’t want to be figuring this out when you get home from the hospital! Here’s exactly what I did to make my recovery space safe, comfortable, and functional.
Bedroom Setup
Your bedroom will be your recovery headquarters, so make it comfortable and accessible. What I did: – Moved my bed away from the wall so I could get in/out from either side – Added a sturdy chair next to the bed for sitting while dressing – Placed a small table within reach for water, medications, phone – Made sure I had extra pillows for positioning
Bathroom Modifications
Safety in the bathroom is critical during recovery. Essential changes: – Installed grab bars in the shower – Got a shower chair (game-changer!) – Added a raised toilet seat – Placed non-slip mats everywhere – Moved toiletries to easy-reach height
Living Areas
Remove tripping hazards and create clear pathways. What helped: – Removed throw rugs and clutter – Arranged furniture for walker clearance – Set up a “recovery station” with everything within reach – Moved frequently used items to counter height (no bending!)
Kitchen Prep
You won’t be able to cook or carry things easily at first. Smart prep: – Stocked freezer with easy meals – Moved dishes and food to reachable shelves – Got a reacher/grabber tool (use it constantly!) – Set up a rolling cart to transport items
Equipment I’m Glad I Had
– Walker (insurance usually covers)
– Reacher/grabber tool
– Sock aid and dressing stick
– Long-handled shoehorn
– Shower chair
– Raised toilet seat
– Extra-long phone charger
The time you spend preparing your home before surgery will pay off immediately when you get back. You’ll be tired, sore, and focused on recovery – not running around trying to find things or making your space safe. Watch my video above for a full walkthrough of my setup!
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