Care After Hip Replacement: Recovering at Home

Start with the discharge plan

Before your relative leaves hospital, make sure the family understands the written discharge plan. It may include advice about walking, exercises, wound care, equipment, washing, dressing and follow-up appointments. Ask the clinical team to explain anything that is unclear, particularly if your relative lives alone or has other health conditions.

Write down the name of the hospital contact or community team, alongside instructions about medication. A family member can help organise tablets and collect prescriptions, but should not change treatment without advice from a GP, pharmacist or clinical team.

It is also worth checking how your relative will get into the house, use the toilet, prepare food and manage stairs. If these practical questions have not been addressed, ask the hospital discharge team or local council adult social care service what assessment or equipment may be available. Official guidance can vary according to circumstances.

Keep the discharge paperwork in an accessible place. A simple notebook can record questions, appointments, changes in mobility and any concerns. This gives the family a shared picture and can make conversations with healthcare professionals more useful. For more planning ideas, see our guide to hospital discharge care at home in London.

Prepare a safer, easier home

A relative may find familiar rooms surprisingly difficult after surgery. Clear walking routes between the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and sitting room. Remove loose rugs, trailing wires and small items that could cause a trip. Keep everyday belongings within easy reach so your relative does not need to bend, stretch or climb.

Consider where your relative will sit and rest during the day. A firm, supportive chair may be easier to get in and out of than a low sofa. Good lighting is helpful, especially along the route to the bathroom. Keep a phone, water and any permitted personal items nearby, without creating clutter.

Ask the hospital or occupational therapy team whether particular equipment is suitable. This might include aids for the toilet, washing or dressing, but equipment should be chosen and used according to professional advice. Do not improvise with furniture if your relative feels unsteady.

Think about the entrance as well as the inside of the property. Steps, narrow doorways and uneven paths can affect the journey home. A family member can arrange deliveries, move furniture and prepare meals before discharge. Our practical guide to preparing your home for a live-in carer may also help if longer support is being considered.

Support movement without taking over

After a hip or knee replacement, your relative may need encouragement and practical help while rebuilding confidence. Support should follow the instructions given by the surgeon, physiotherapist or community team. A carer can prepare the route, bring walking aids within reach and offer steady reassurance, but should not force movement or introduce exercises independently.

Allow time for ordinary tasks. Rushing to the bathroom, standing suddenly or carrying items while using a walking aid can make a task more difficult. Keep frequently used items in a small bag or on a stable surface if the clinical team has said this is appropriate.

Falls prevention matters during recovery. Encourage your relative to use the mobility aid recommended for them and to ask for help when they feel tired or unsure. Shoes should be secure and suitable for walking indoors. The family can read more about preventing falls at home, while checking any individual concerns with the relevant professional.

Notice how your relative is managing rather than comparing their progress with somebody else’s. Pain, tiredness, confidence and other conditions can all affect recovery. Speak to the clinical team if movement becomes more difficult, pain changes or you are worried about a setback.

Plan personal care, meals and rest

Washing, dressing and using the toilet may take longer than usual. Before helping, ask your relative what they can manage and what support they would prefer. Maintaining privacy and choice is important, especially when a relative feels dependent after an operation. A carer can offer prompts, prepare clothing and keep the bathroom ready while allowing the person to do as much as they safely can.

Plan simple meals and drinks in advance. Put suitable food at an easy-to-reach height and arrange shopping or deliveries so your relative does not need to carry heavy bags. If appetite, swallowing, fluid intake or dietary requirements are a concern, ask the GP or clinical team for appropriate advice.

Rest is part of the routine, but the clinical plan may also include gentle activity. Help your relative balance tasks with the advice they have been given. A written routine can include washing, meals, exercises if prescribed, medication prompts, rest and appointments.

A live-in carer may help with household tasks, companionship and agreed personal support while your relative concentrates on recovery. Families remain responsible for deciding what help is needed and directing the self-employed carer. Read more about knee and hip replacement care when considering the type of support that may fit.

Decide how much support is needed

Some people manage with help from relatives and occasional visits, while others need someone present throughout the day and night. The right arrangement depends on mobility, confidence, the home layout, other health needs and how much family can realistically provide.

Make a list of tasks rather than choosing support based only on the operation. Include getting up, washing, dressing, food preparation, household jobs, shopping, transport to appointments and companionship. Note which tasks your relative can do alone and which require supervision or physical assistance. This list can be reviewed as recovery develops.

Short-term live-in support may be considered when a relative should not be left alone, family members work or live far away, or the home needs a settled routine. It is important to discuss any moving and handling requirements clearly and to check that a proposed carer has relevant experience.

Joyful Care acts as an introductory agency. Families contract with and direct self-employed carers, rather than receiving an ongoing managed care service from Joyful Care. Ask questions about experience, availability, insurance and practical arrangements before making a decision. You may also wish to read our guide to short-term care.

Keep communication clear during recovery

Recovery is easier to coordinate when everyone knows the plan. Choose one place for discharge paperwork, appointment letters, medication information and contact details. A shared family diary can show who is visiting, who is arranging food and who will accompany your relative to appointments.

Agree how concerns will be passed on. Your relative should know who to call if they feel unsafe, become unwell or need help with a daily task. Family members and carers should record questions rather than making changes to medication, exercises or wound care themselves.

Contact the hospital, GP or relevant clinical team if you are worried about worsening pain, a change around the wound, increased swelling, fever, breathing problems, sudden confusion or a noticeable decline in mobility. Seek urgent help for a serious or sudden emergency. The clinical team can explain which symptoms require immediate attention in your relative’s case.

Review the arrangement as your relative becomes more independent. Support that is useful immediately after discharge may no longer be needed later, while another health issue may create a new need. If your family is unsure about eligibility, assessments or official care guidance, contact the local council, NHS or GP rather than relying on general online advice.

Frequently asked questions

Official guidance and further reading

Care and funding rules can change. These sources are useful starting points; they do not guarantee a care package, a carer match, or a funding decision.

• Knee and hip replacement
• Hospital Discharge Care at Home in London
• Preventing Falls at Home: Practical Steps for Families
• NHS social care and support guide
• CQC guidance on introductory agencies
• Find your local council

Contact Joyful Care

Call for a calm, no-pressure conversation about timing, the home, and the type of support you are considering. We will explain the next step and the information needed before any introduction.

We respond to enquiries as promptly as the details and a suitable introduction allow.