Major surgery can be anxiety-inducing even for healthy, youthful individuals. Naturally, the tense period before surgery is even more stressful for the elderly.
Senior citizens must consider several important factors before undergoing any major procedure. These procedures can have significant implications for their health, such as experiencing post-operative complications or shifts in mental function. Additionally, seniors must prepare for surgery by checking their health and life insurance policies and brushing up on living will laws.
For the elderly, taking extra steps to prepare for surgery will help maintain peace of mind. If you are a senior or their caregiver, keep reading to learn how to navigate the stressful pre-surgery period with ease.
The Significance of Surgery Preparation for the Elderly
As people get older, health problems start to mount up. Senior patients often have multiple pre-existing conditions and can be on several different types of medication. All of these factors make surgery much more complicated for senior patients.
The elderly population in the USA is growing with every passing year. According to data from the Pew Research Center, 18% of the US population is over 65 years old. In the next three decades (by 2054), seniors will number 23% of the total population.
Maintaining a good quality of life into old age is crucial for long-term health and well-being. Ensuring their healthcare needs are met and successfully preparing seniors for surgery will play a big part in this.
Four Most Common Surgeries for Seniors
To suitably prepare a senior for surgery, you need to know what kind of procedure they will be having. Knowing whether it is an inpatient or outpatient procedure, laparoscopic or open surgery, and other details of the operation are vital in preparing for all outcomes.
Here are some of the most common surgeries for elderly patients:
- Cancer-related surgeries: Older people are more vulnerable to cancer, which is why so many cancer surgery patients are seniors. These surgeries involve cutting out the tumor from the afflicted area, which could include organs like the breasts, colon, or prostate gland.
- Cataract surgery: In many cases, the reason for vision deterioration in old age can be linked to cataracts forming in the eye. Treating cataracts involves removing and replacing the clouded lens with an intraocular lens. As far as surgeries go, this is less invasive and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.
- Joint replacement surgeries: As patients age, they develop musculoskeletal issues like arthritis. When the condition is so advanced that a patient cannot live with the pain, joint replacement surgery is needed. In this surgery, plastic and metal prostheses replace worn-out ball-and-socket joints in the hips, knees, elbows, and wrists.
- Gallbladder surgery: This procedure involves removing the gallbladder because of painful gallstones or other conditions. It’s also known as a cholecystectomy.
Steps to Get Prepared for Major Surgery as an Elderly Person
Facing health issues later in life is entirely natural, and in some instances, surgery can be the best remedy. Most senior citizens will face the decision to undergo surgery at some point in their lives. With the right preparation, this doesn’t have to be a stressful affair.
Here’s how seniors and their caregivers can ensure they are prepared for surgery to the best of their ability.
Have Detailed Discussions with the Doctor
Before any surgery, you should engage in detailed conversations with your physicians and surgeons.
Some questions you should ask them include:
- What are the objectives of this surgery?
- What are the best-case and worst-case scenarios post-surgery?
- What is the timeline of recovery?
Along with asking questions to better understand the surgery, you should also volunteer important and relevant information about your health. This includes discussing any prescriptions you are currently on or any pre-existing health conditions they need to know.
Inform Your Loved Ones and Caregivers
Once you’ve spoken to your doctors, the next step is to communicate all the relevant information to the people who will help care for you after the surgery.
This includes letting caregivers stock up on necessary medication and planning appointments and transportation for post-surgery checkups.
Prehab before Rehab
It’s important to be in optimal physical condition before any surgery. This means treating any conditions that could interfere with the surgery’s outcomes, like losing excess weight or taking medication or therapy for any physical or mental illnesses you may have.
Prepare for Your Hospital Stay
Most surgeries require a hospital stay after the procedure is completed. Make a checklist of all the items you will need while staying in the hospital, including medications and recreation items like books, board games, and playing cards.
Plan for Every Outcome
Surgeries are not to be feared, but you shouldn’t take them lightly either. Ensure that all your legal documents are in order before the procedure, which includes granting a caregiver Medical Power of Attorney and drafting out your Living Will.
This will ensure you receive the healthcare you want in the unlikely and unfortunate event that the surgery does not go as intended.
Conclusion
Surgical procedures can drastically improve quality of life. Preparing for surgeries is how you can get the best possible results. This isn’t just limited to getting into physical condition and readying for post-operative recovery. Elderly adults must also bring their legal affairs in order.
With a comprehensive approach to pre-surgery preparation, senior citizens no longer have to worry about negative outcomes when facing surgery.