Have you been told by your doctor that your elderly parent needs surgery? If so, you're not alone. Millions of older Americans have surgery each year.
For most surgeries, you will have time to find out about the operation, talk about other treatments with your surgeon (medical doctor who does the operation), and decide what to do. You also have time to get a second opinion.
Questions Caregivers Ask About Surgery
Deciding to have surgery can be hard, but it may be easier once you know why your parent needs surgery. Talk with the surgeon about the operation. Don't hesitate to ask the surgeon any questions you might have. For example, do the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks? Risks may include infections, bleeding a lot, or a reaction to the anesthesia (medicine that puts you to sleep).
Your surgeon should be willing to answer your questions. If you don't understand the answers, ask the surgeon to explain more clearly. Answers to the following questions will help you make an informed decision about your elderly parent's treatment:
- What is the surgery? Does may parent need it now, or can she wait?
- Can another treatment be tried instead of surgery?
- How will the surgery affect my parent's health and lifestyle?
- What kind of anesthesia will be used? What are the side effects and risks of having anesthesia?
- Will my parent be in pain? How long will the pain last?
- When will my parent be able to go home after the surgery?
- What will the recovery be like? How long will it take to feel better?
- What will happen if my parent doesn't have the surgery?
- Is there anything else I should know about this surgery?