after bowel operation and being released from hospital, is there anywhere I could go to recoup instead of having family rush around trying to cope with my needs?
after bowel operation and being released from hospital, is there anywhere I could go to recoup instead of having family rush around trying to cope with my needs?
Thanks for getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support through our Ask a Nurse Platform. I’m Linda, one of the nurses from our support line. I can appreciate why you are looking for a place of care on discharge, to take any pressure off of your family.
Preparing to leave hospital after surgery can be daunting time, however the surgical team would have to assess you as being medically fit for discharge. This should include being reviewed by physiotherapy and occupational therapy where needed.
In addition the hospital may make a referral for reablement services to help at home.
In some situations, people may pre-arrange a short stay or some respite in care home to help them. This would tend to be self-funded.
Websites such as the care quality commission list both care homes and private care agencies and their inspection reports. Your local council’s adult social care team might also be able to help with this.
It is worth speaking with your clinical nurse specialist or your consultant. You can let them know about your worries about going home. Where possible it can help include your family in this conversation, in case they have a different view from yourself.
Your family, themselves, may be entitled to a carers assessment to look at their needs whilst caring for you. It might be helpful to show them this. And we also have our guide, Practical support for carers.
To help with discharge some people will pre-prepare meals and freeze them, change bedding and do a general tidy up to make going home easier.
Our information, Preparing for treatment, should also help for any planning you might have
If you would like to call us, we would welcome your call. We can ask a little more of your circumstances to look at what further guidance and support we can offer.
Take care Linda
(Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm or contact us by email or webchat.
Ref: LM/GMcR
