A man stands beside his older adult father's hospital bed. He has his hand on his shoulder.
If an older adult loved one has recently had surgery, they will likely need some help during their recovery. Here, we offer advice for caregivers providing post-surgery care for a senior. Photo Credit: iStock.com/Hispanolistic

With an estimated 4 million surgeries performed on older adults each year, post-surgery care is an important consideration. If someone you know is scheduled for surgery, you may wonder how best to support them while they are in the hospital and after discharge. The acute recovery phase after surgery will vary based on the surgery performed, but there are some common interventions you can be aware of and use to support them and aid recovery.

Post-surgery care while in the hospital

If you are waiting at the hospital or surgery center during the procedure, most often you will see the person again once they have left the acute recovery period and are back in their room. You can expect them to be dazed and slightly out of it as anesthesia or any sedatives wear off. Older adults can be more affected by anesthesia and may take longer to recover. 

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, older adults are more likely to experience postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction. One of the recommendations to reduce symptoms related to these conditions is to have a family member, caregiver, or friend present after surgery. They also recommend ensuring the older adult has access to their glasses and or hearing aids as soon as it is safe, as impairment to vision or hearing can further contribute to confusion and disorientation. 

Post-surgery care during recovery focuses on pain management and monitoring for the return of essential bodily functions such as breathing independently, using the bathroom, and mobility. These will vary based on the older adult’s baseline function before surgery. Once they have achieved the post-op requirements for their surgery, they will either be discharged or moved to their hospital room.

You can advocate for the older adult by providing emotional support and communicating with their health care team. You can also encourage them to follow recommendations and the treatment plan to help them recover more quickly. If they need to stay in the hospital, they will likely receive inpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy. 

Post-surgery care after discharge from the hospital

Some older adults will be able to have outpatient day surgery, while others will need to stay overnight or for a few days. If an older adult is admitted to the hospital following surgery, you can ask to work with a case manager or discharge planner to help with discharge planning. 

Discharge planning can include transfer to a skilled nursing facility for rehab or back to their assisted living facility, memory care facility, or own home. They may need to meet with a physical and occupational therapist to address any post-surgery care needs, such as adaptive equipment that needs to be in place. They will need to meet their discharge goals, which are generally to manage pain, follow specific mobility and functional guidelines, and meet any other requirements specific to their surgery.

It can be helpful to ask these questions and address any related concerns early in the discharge process:

Questions for all scenarios:

  • Will my loved one be able to return home, or will they need to go to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or rehab facility?
  • What adaptive equipment will they need (wheelchair, walker, etc.)? Will it be ordered before they leave, or will I need to pick it up somewhere?
  • Can we get a list of their medications, with any new or changed ones highlighted?
  • Will new medications be sent with them or to the new facility, or do we need to pick them up?
  • Are there any recommended changes to their diet?
  • If wound care is needed, will it be done outpatient, by facility staff, or by a home health nurse? How do we get additional supplies?
  • If indicated, how and when will physical, occupational, and speech therapy be provided?
  • What follow-up appointments are needed, and how do we schedule them?

Questions for individuals discharging to skilled nursing or rehab:

  • Will the case manager place them in a facility, or can we select a facility? 
  • How will they be transported to the facility?
  • What is the estimated length of stay?

Questions for individuals discharging home (own home, assisted living, memory care):

  • Will they need home health services? If so, who will help set them up?
  • Do they need increased monitoring or someone to stay with them? For how long?
  • Do we need to make any changes to their home for safety? Changes may include:
    • Fall alert monitoring.
    • In-home caregivers or family/friend support.
    • Installation of mobility aids such as handrails or shower benches.

What to expect in the days and weeks after surgery

Recovery from surgery is not always linear; there can be ups and downs and, unfortunately, even setbacks. A senior recovering from surgery will likely need help and post-surgery care for a few weeks or months. This, of course, will vary greatly depending on the surgery completed. 

Seniors may need ongoing assistance with pain management, mobility, transportation, meal planning and preparation, housework, and follow-up medical care. In addition to their physical needs, they may experience increased emotional distress related to surgery and any associated temporary or ongoing loss of independence. 

If the senior in your life is staying in a SNF or rehab facility, they should have services available to help support them with many of these needs. If they have returned home, these are some resources that may help navigate post-surgery care during the recovery period:

  • Home health aide or caregiver: Some insurance plans will cover home care for a short time. Medicare typically does not, except when prescribed by a doctor under specific circumstances, and only for a short time. Most people will have to hire a private caregiver and pay out of pocket. This can be helpful for a few weeks, as a home health aide can help with personal care, shopping, light housework, and companionship.
  • Community transportation: While friends and family can help with transportation, it may not always be feasible. Many communities have resources for seniors to provide transportation. Check with your local senior center or medical provider, or use a website like 211 to look up community ride programs.
  • Support groups: Support groups can be an excellent option for a senior recovering from surgery. There are often in-person and virtual options focusing on specific surgery types or more general groups for seniors facing a loss of independence. Your surgeon or medical team may have local resources for you, or you can try searching the database through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 
  • Socialization opportunities: Undergoing surgery, especially if recovery is prolonged, can be isolating. Encouraging and supporting seniors to socialize with others, as long as they can safely do so, can help with recovery. You may need to help them connect with friends or transport them to activities at a senior center. Visits from friends and family can also help reduce isolation. 

Surgery can be stressful, and recovery will be different for all older adults. However, this guide and the suggested resources can help you support them during post-surgery care and make their recovery as smooth as possible. If you ever have concerns about a surgical procedure or any part of recovery, discuss them with a health care provider.