For 6-12 weeks they have hip precautions: no bending past 90°, no crossing legs, no twisting. Practical caregiving means handling everything that requires those motions: putting on socks, picking things off the floor, reaching for low items, helping in/out of chairs. You’re not “doing it for them” forever — you’re a workaround for the precautions for 6-12 weeks. Below: the day-by-day, the home setup you should pre-install, and what to NOT do.
Before surgery: what you do
Day 0 (discharge day)
They’ll come home with a walker. Possibly that day, possibly day 1-2 of inpatient stay. They’ll be tired, on pain meds, and uncertain on the walker. Your job:
- Help them in from the car (reverse seating: back into the seat, swing legs in)
- Walker handed to them at every transition
- Set them in the recliner
- Take vitals if home health hasn’t arrived
- Get the first pain med dose in on schedule
Days 1-7: hands-on caregiving
Helping them dress (without violating hip precautions):
- Pull-on pants: they sit, you guide pants over both feet, then they stand and pull up
- Socks: use the sock aid; they put their foot through it, you slide it on
- Shoes: slip-ons + long-handled shoehorn
- Tops: pull-on or button-front; they can usually do this themselves
Toilet routine:
- Walker beside the raised toilet seat
- They back up to the toilet, lower using the grab bar
- Keep wipes within reach — they may not be able to reach behind themselves
Showering (after surgeon clears, usually day 5-7):
- Walker to the bathroom
- Transfer to shower bench (you guide)
- Handheld shower for washing
- Stay in the bathroom — falls happen here
- Help drying back, feet, lower legs
Days 8-14: physical therapy starts
Home health PT typically starts in week 1-2. Your role: drive them or be present, listen to what the PT teaches, help them practice between sessions. Don’t push them past PT instructions; don’t hold them back from PT instructions. Trust the PT.
Weeks 3-6: independence increasing
By week 3, most patients are walking with a cane or no aid for short distances. Your role tapers:
- Drive them to outpatient PT (still no driving for them)
- Continue household tasks they can’t do (laundry, vacuuming)
- Be available for sock-putting and shoe-tying — these come back last
What hip-replacement caregivers say is hardest
- The 6 weeks feel long. Pace yourself; this isn’t a sprint.
- Boredom is real. They can’t bend, can’t drive, can’t do most hobbies. Have books, shows, audio downloaded.
- You’re tired too. Sleep with one ear open at night for “I need to use the bathroom” calls. Take naps when you can.
- The “I’m fine” lie. They’ll downplay pain to seem brave. Watch for the actual signs — facial tension, reduced movement, missed pain doses.
What to NOT do
Frequently Asked Questions
From the Inspired Comforts collection.
Continue reading
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons — Total Hip Replacement
- Family Caregiver Alliance — caregiver.org
