The days and weeks after surgery are some of the most important — and most vulnerable — in a senior's recovery. A missed medication, an unsteady transfer to the bathroom, or a wound that isn't checked regularly can turn a routine recovery into a hospital readmission. LivePeace 24/7's post-operative caregivers step in right where the hospital leaves off, helping your loved one heal safely in the comfort of their own home.
Trusted by 200+ families across Greater Vancouver, our post-op care combines fall prevention, mobility support, medication reminders, and follow-up transportation with a caregiver who is matched to your family before care ever begins — often arriving the same day as discharge.
For general guidance on recovering safely after a hospital stay, families can also review HealthLink BC's information on going home after surgery and the Government of Canada's home and community care resources.
Post-operative (post-surgical) care is in-home support provided to a senior during the recovery period following surgery. It bridges the gap between hospital discharge and full independence — covering everything from safe transfers and hygiene to medication reminders and getting to follow-up appointments — so recovery stays on track without a hospital-level stay.
This is often paired with LivePeace's 24/7 live-in senior care for clients who need round-the-clock support in the first stretch of recovery, or scheduled hourly visits for lighter needs.
Planning a discharge date? Call 604-442-1746 or book a free assessment and we'll have a caregiver ready to meet your loved one at the door.
Extended hospital stays and rehab facilities are sometimes necessary for complex medical needs, but for many seniors, a stable recovery goes better in a familiar environment — their own bed, their own bathroom, their own routine — with one consistent caregiver instead of rotating shift staff.
One caregiver, matched to your family, covering the full scope of recovery support:
| Factor | Rehab Facility / Extended Hospital Stay | In-Home Post-Op Care with LivePeace |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Unfamiliar setting, shared rooms | Recovering in their own home and bed |
| Caregiver consistency | Rotating shift staff | One consistent, matched caregiver |
| Infection exposure | Higher risk in clinical settings | Lower exposure at home |
| Start time | Dependent on bed availability | Often same-day as hospital discharge |
| Family involvement | Limited visiting hours | Family present anytime |
| Best for | Complex medical monitoring needs | Stable recovery needing mobility & daily support |
Every post-op care plan is built around the recovery instructions from your loved one's surgical team, and adjusted as healing progresses.
Caregivers assist with safe transfers between bed, chair, and bathroom, support walking with a cane or walker, and stay alert to home hazards during the highest-risk weeks of recovery — often beginning the same day as discharge.
Caregivers keep a visual eye on the surgical site for redness, swelling, or signs of concern, help keep dressings clean and dry per the surgical team's instructions, and report any changes to family right away.
Note: our caregivers are not medical professionals — this is supportive monitoring, not clinical wound care.
Staying on schedule with post-surgical medications matters for pain control and healing. Caregivers provide timely reminders, watch for changes in comfort or condition, and keep family and physicians informed.
Good nutrition speeds healing. Caregivers prepare meals that support recovery, encourage hydration, and accommodate any dietary restrictions set out by the surgical or care team.
Missed follow-ups can slow recovery. Caregivers provide door-to-door escort to post-op check-ups, physiotherapy, and lab work — waiting on-site and helping safely in and out of the vehicle. Travel, mileage, and fuel included.
Bathing and dressing after surgery often requires extra care around incision sites and mobility limits. Caregivers assist gently and safely, respecting any precautions set by the surgical team.
"After my mother's hip replacement, I had no idea how we'd manage the first few weeks. LivePeace had a caregiver at her side within a day of discharge — helping her walk safely, keeping track of her medication, and driving her to every follow-up appointment. It gave our whole family room to breathe."
— LivePeace Family, Greater VancouverCare can often begin the day of hospital discharge
Caregivers trained in safe transfer & mobility techniques
Background-checked, trained, and fully insured caregivers
Paired by needs, personality, and language
Urgent discharge requests are always welcome
Serving Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island & Kelowna
LivePeace provides post-operative senior care across Greater Vancouver and surrounding communities:
Have a discharge date already booked? Call 604-442-1746 — if we can get a caregiver to you in time, we will.
What is post-operative home care?
It's in-home, non-medical support that helps a senior recover safely after surgery — including mobility assistance, hygiene support, medication reminders, nutrition, and monitoring for signs of complications.
How soon after surgery can a caregiver start?
Care can often begin the same day as hospital discharge. We recommend booking an assessment before or as soon as possible after the surgery date.
Do caregivers provide wound care?
Our caregivers are not medical professionals, so they don't perform clinical wound care. They do provide supportive monitoring — a visual check for redness or swelling, keeping the area clean and dry per instructions, and reporting concerns to family and the care team.
What types of surgery do you support recovery from?
We commonly support recovery from hip and knee replacements, cardiac procedures, abdominal surgery, spinal surgery, and fracture repairs, among others.
Can caregivers help with physiotherapy exercises?
Caregivers can encourage and support prescribed exercises and mobility routines set out by a physiotherapist, but they don't replace clinical physiotherapy sessions.
Is post-operative care covered by insurance or ICBC?
In some cases, yes. We also offer ICBC-funded home care for eligible motor vehicle accident recoveries. Ask your care coordinator about your specific situation.
How long do families typically need post-op care?
It varies by procedure and individual recovery — anywhere from a couple of weeks for a routine surgery to several months for more complex recoveries. Your care plan is reviewed as healing progresses.
What happens if my loved one's recovery needs change?
Your care coordinator stays in touch throughout the recovery and adjusts the level of support, whether that means scaling up during a harder stretch or scaling back as independence returns.
Do you help with transportation to follow-up appointments?
Yes. We provide door-to-door escort to post-op check-ups, physiotherapy, and lab work, including travel, mileage, and fuel.
Can post-operative care be combined with live-in care?
Yes. Many families start with 24/7 live-in support for the first critical stretch of recovery, then transition to scheduled hourly visits as their loved one regains independence.
Are your caregivers trained in fall prevention?
Yes. All caregivers are trained in safe transfer techniques, mobility support, and fall-prevention best practices — especially important in the first weeks after surgery.
Is post-operative care available on weekends and holidays?
Yes, care is available 24/7, including weekends and statutory holidays.
Can I meet the caregiver before care begins?
Yes. We match a caregiver to your loved one's needs and personality, and you meet and approve them before care starts wherever possible.
How do I get started?
Call 604-442-1746 or book a free assessment online — the sooner we connect, the sooner we can have a caregiver ready for discharge day.
LivePeace provides a full range of in-home senior care services across Greater Vancouver:
Our care coordinators are available 24/7 to plan around a discharge date, explain your options, and have a matched caregiver ready to help from day one.
