Postoperative care
-Provide a safe and calm environment, recognizing the cognitive , psychosocial, and behavioral needs of elderly patients to include
-monitoring patient continuously for signs of delirium
-orienting and reorienting the patient as needed ; and
-limiting environment disruption.
-perform delirium screening using the CAM.
-Emsure adequate pain control but avoid use of meperidine, benzodiazepines, and anticholinergic agents.
-Remove urinary catheters as soon as possible.
-Ensure early ambulation.
-Avoid using restraints if at all possible.
-Communicate with the patient regularly to prevent feelings of isolation.
-Proupdates to the patient’s family members on the patient’s condition and allow family members to be with the patient in the postanesthe sia care unit as this is safe and practical.
-Provide discharge instructions to the patient and family members based on the interdisciplinary plan of care.
-Ensure that the patient resumes taking his or her medications as soon as possible after surgery.