In general, the older patient will have a longer recovery time than a younger patient and is expected to have more complications. In short, the elderly surgery patient will require more support than a younger one, from both professional healthcare providers and other individuals in their family and social circles.

Why are older people more prone to postoperative complications?

Some common health problems related to aging — increased blood pressure, clogged arteries, and heart and lung disease — may make it more likely that you’ll experience side effects or complications during or after surgery. And, just being older sometimes can cause some distressing side effects.

How does age affect post operative complications?

In addition, perioperative complications in the elderly are associated with greater mortality. Hamel et al. showed that patients 80 years of age and older who suffer complications after major surgery have a 25% greater 30 day mortality than patients without complications¹⁰.

What are the risks associated with hospitalization of older adults?

These complications are often referred to as “hazards of hospitalization” and include delirium, malnutrition, urinary incontinence, pressure ulcers, depression, falls, restraint use, infection, functional decline, adverse drug effects, and death.

What is the most common respiratory complication in elderly patients?

Respiratory Care Postoperative respiratory complications, including pneumonia, hypoxemia, hypoventilation, and atelectasis, occur in 2.1%-10.2% of elderly patients. These complications are associated with increased length of stay and a higher risk of long-term mortality.

What complications can occur to elderly patients after having surgery involving general anesthesia?

However, elderly patients have some unique risks. Older patients are more prone to postoperative delirium, aspiration, urosepsis, adverse drug reactions, pressure ulcers, malnutrition, falls, and failure to return to ambulation or home.

What causes confusion in elderly after surgery?

Post-operative delirium is delirium that happens after an older adult has an operation (surgery) and is the most common post-operative complication in older adults. Delirium can have many causes – for example, drugs, infection, electrolyte imbalance, and not being able to move around (immobilization).

Should a 90 year old have surgery?

Although orthopedic surgery is generally safe for patients ages 80 and older, those with no or few accompanying health conditions are less likely to have surgical complications from spinal fusion surgery, hip replacements or knee replacements than other octogenarians, according to a large study published in July 2014

At what age are you considered elderly?

Who is Defined as Elderly? Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.

Is surgery more risky in the elderly?

Results: A total of 7,696 surgical procedures incurred a 28% morbidity rate and 2.3% mortality rate, although those older than 80 years of age had a morbidity of 51% and mortality of 7%. Hypertension and dyspnea were the most frequent risk factors in those aged 80 years and older.

Why are the elderly more at risk for falls when they are hospitalized?

The older adult’s ‘ability to perform a task’ is likely to be lower than that experienced pre‐morbidly, owing to their ‘health’ (illness, injury or surgery which led to the hospitalization). This creates the need for the older adult to have ‘awareness of self and ability’ and their reduced level of capacity.

What is the most common cause of hospitalization among older adults?

The most common cause of hospitalization and rehospitalization in Americans age 65 and older is congestive heart failure. Every day, 10,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday.

What are geriatric patients at risk for?

Geriatric patients are at higher risk of falling for a number of reasons, including postural hypotension, balance or gait impairment, polypharmacy (more than three prescription medications) and use of sedative-hypnotic medications.

Why are elderly at risk for pneumonia?

As people age, their immune systems work less well, leaving them less able to fend off infections. Heart disease, diabetes and other serious illnesses that are common in seniors increase risk of pneumonia. Seniors are more susceptible to the flu and other lung-related conditions, which sometimes develop into pneumonia.

What causes respiratory failure elderly?

Acute respiratory failure often occurs in elderly people who already have conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or asthma. Pneumonia or influenza can be more direct triggers for the condition.

What are symptoms of pneumonia in elderly?

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough.
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm.
• Fatigue.
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills.