While people are living longer and may be still active at an older age, no one has necessarily told your joints that! Joint replacement surgery is becoming more and more common – whether it is for a finger, knee or hip. Most people who choose to have replacements have severe arthritis. They take on this kind of surgery in hopes of a dramatic reduction in joint pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities.
One of our new clients, Mary, is active and energetic, but found both her knees were crippling her with arthritis. She is planning ahead for her knee replacement surgery. She expects to have a couple of weeks of physical and occupational therapy after the operation, and will need rides to these, as well as for follow-up appointments with the doctor. During the recovery period, she’ll also need help with housework.
We have solid relationships with hospital and rehabilitation center social workers so we can do our best to have volunteers recruited, screened, trained, and ready to go for people like Mary. These kinds of volunteer assignments may be intensive, but are not on-going. Once the client has recovered, the need for help ends. They often work well for volunteers who know that they have time now to help, but can’t commit to a long-term match.
Thank you for your support, which makes it possible for seniors like Mary to heal and recover more quickly.
