Final answer:
The most significant factor affecting home care management for the elderly client is the social support network, which impacts daily living assistance, medication management, and overall well-being following a major surgery like a bowel resection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social support network will have the greatest effect on the client's home care management. After a major surgery like a bowel resection, an elderly individual will require assistance with daily activities, medication management, and potential complications that could arise. With the family out of town, the lack of local social supports may hinder the client's recovery and ability to manage their health at home. Research from Brumley et al. (2007) indicates that those with better social support networks often have increased satisfaction with their care and associated outcomes.
Moving beyond just the post-operative period, social support can play a significant role in the elderly's overall well-being, affecting everything from their mental health to their ability to adhere to medical guidelines. Considering the challenges that elderly individuals may face, such as physical limitations and the growing requirement for technological proficiency in managing one's health, the need for a social support network becomes even more critical in ensuring that the elderly are not left isolated and unable to access the necessary resources and care.