Surgery in Elderly People

Early mobilization and comprehensive discharge planning are essential to return elderly patients back to a reasonable quality of life following a surgical procedure. Optimally, this should be a multidisciplinary approach consisting of people who can anticipate the sorts of complications to which older adults, especially those who are frail, are liable.

Directives for rehabilitation should ideally be initiated on admission to the hospital. Issues concerning an older patient’s premorbid state (e.g., physical deconditioning, living alone) and the nature of the procedure are most efficiently dealt with through early involvement of the patient, nurses, allied health professionals (physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers), psychologists, and family members.

Complications that arise from surgery (e.g., prolonged ventilation, delirium, and cognitive impairment) should not excessively delay early mobilization and rehabilitation. The appropriate use of an interdisciplinary team should be utilized early to help debilitated persons maintain or recover physical capacities.