Six Tips to Reduce Confusion in Older Patients After Surgery

Ask your physician to conduct a pre-surgery cognitive test — an assessment of your mental function. The physician can use the results as a baseline for comparison after surgery.
Be sure your caregiver, a family member or friend stays or can visit with you as you recover, carefully observes your physical and mental activity after surgery and reports anything troubling to your physician.
Check with your physician before taking medications after surgery that can affect your nervous system, such as those for anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or sleep aids.
If you wear hearing aids or glasses, ask that they be made available as soon as possible after the procedure.
Request a hospital room for recovery with a window if possible, so you can tell whether it’s day or night.
If you will be staying overnight in the hospital, pack a family photo, a clock and a calendar, or other familiar objects from home, to help you readjust.