It’s amazing how much function and independence a person can regain after undergoing shoulder replacement surgery, but this recovery doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll be physically limited for months as you slowly recover and strengthen your artificial shoulder, and during this time, daily activities won’t be easy. It’s worth it in the end, but the recovery phase can be incredibly challenging and frustrating on a patient.
If you have a friend or family member who is set to undergo shoulder replacement surgery, you may be looking to get them a gift to help alleviate some of this frustration. But what gifts are a gamechanger for people recovering from shoulder replacement? In today’s blog, we discuss six gift ideas that we often recommend to friends and family members who are looking to get something for their loved one who is recovering from shoulder replacement.
Gifts For Shoulder Surgery Patients
If you’re thinking about putting together a little care basket or you want to do something nice for a friend who is set to have their shoulder replaced, here’s what we recommend:
- Uber/Lyft Gift Card – Driving is going to be out of the question for a few weeks after surgery, and they may not be able to rely on family or friends when they need to get somewhere during their recovery. A rideshare gift card allows them to get a ride when they need it without having to take a financial hit every time they book a ride.
- Restaurant Gift Cards – A restaurant gift card is also helpful because it can be difficult to cook with only one arm. Find a local restaurant that delivers or purchase a DoorDash gift card that allows them to order a healthy meal at the touch of a few buttons.
- Books – If your loved one is a reader or has expressed an interest in specific books in the past, now is the time to get them a couple of books. They’ll have more time on their hands while they are physically limited, and a good book will keep their brain engaged. Order a couple of books to be sent to their house or pick up some favorites from the library and drop them off yourself.
- Brain Games – As we noted above, it’s helpful to keep your brain engaged while you’re recovering from shoulder surgery. Consider buying your friend some brain games that will keep their brain working while their body is physically mending. Puzzles, crosswords, Sodukus, word finds, or other types of brain teasers make great gift basket stuffers.
- Cleaning Service – It’s going to be more challenging for your loved one to do chores around the house for a while. Having a cleaning service come over once a week for a month can be a great way to help them get some household chores done without jeopardizing the health of their shoulder. It may be wise to talk with your friend ahead of time if you’re going this route, as some people are uncomfortable with strangers in their home, even if they are contracted cleaners.
- A Call – Finally, one of the best things you can do for a loved one who is recovering after shoulder surgery is giving them a call every couple of days. Check in on them, talk about their day or just share some tidbits from your life. Being physically limited after shoulder surgery can also make it harder to stay socially engaged, and that can wear on a person. Let them know you’re thinking about them by giving them a call and making it easier for them to keep in touch with the outside world.
For more ideas on what to get a loved one after shoulder surgery, or to talk to a specialist about a shoulder issue you’re dealing with, connect with Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
