Help for an 87 year-old following leg amputation

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My dad is about to have a leg amputated above the knee following an unsuccessful attempt to deal with almost nonexistent blood flow to the lower leg and foot. Obviously this would be terrible for a person at any age, but as he’s 87 now it will have a massive impact on him and my mum particularly as they live in their own home.

There are some fairly local rehab centres and also support groups who I’ll contact tomorrow but I wondered whether anyone on here could offer advice on how to best cope going forward. I’m going to try to find a care home who offer respite care but I can imagine they’re not set up to deal with amputees.

[Ruskie]

It’s difficult to offer precise advice based on the information you have given, but generally post amputation he should get a full package of support including rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. If he needs support in the home the community support teams will step in, at least in the short term until it is established what level of care he needs, if any when he has made a recovery. A lot depends on his level of frailty, any cognitive impairment and other co-morbidities.

If you are thinking about respite care, you need to start looking now as many places (area dependent) are over subscribed and you may need to hold a room. It will probably need to be nursing care as well. Budget approx £1800-£2200 per week for a nursing home, again area dependent.

This is a good website that may help answer some questions. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Edited by Ruskie on Monday 5th June 22:16

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Many thanks for the replies