Author: Andrea Miller
Reviewed By: Brindusa Vanta

Assisted living facilities accept heart transplant patients as long as their needs align with the community’s level of care. Many people fully recover within about 6 months of a heart transplant. They often experience an improved quality of life and can return to hobbies, work and exercise.

What should I expect during heart transplant recovery?

When you wake up from a heart transplant, you have a breathing tube. The health care provider removes it once you’re completely awake. Most people stay in the hospital for about 2 weeks after a heart transplant. Medical staff helps you get out of bed and walk around within the first few days after your surgery. They also show you how to do coughing and deep breathing exercises to prevent post-procedure pneumonia.

Several days after surgery, your surgeon performs a heart biopsy to check if your body has accepted the donor heart. Your surgical team also refers you for cardiac rehabilitation to strengthen your new heart. 

How does assisted living help after a heart transplant?

Assisted living staff helps with activities of daily living after a heart transplant. During and after heart transplant recovery, assisted living makes sense if you need help with some activities but don’t require 24/7 supervision or skilled nursing care. You have frequent post-op checkups in the first few months, and many assisted living facilities provide transportation to medical appointments.

Assisted living communities offer nutritional services. They create a diet plan that fits your needs after the heart transplant and monitor your progress as you adjust. Most people need a high-fiber, low-salt diet with lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains to support recovery.

Does assisted living help with medications after a heart transplant?

Assisted living staff members have the training to help manage and administer medications after a heart transplant. They also help keep track of possible side effects and adverse drug events. Your surgical team prescribes immunosuppressant medications to prevent your body from rejecting the new heart, along with antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial drugs.

Communicate with staff members about your medication needs. Before entering the hospital for your surgery, talk to a knowledgeable person at the assisted living community to make sure it can care for you during recovery.