My mother had delirium for about 3 months with what was end stage cancer. The pain relief really affected her brain.

My 90 year old dad was very sharp when he went in for a pacemaker replacement. He was discharged the same day. He is now 91.5 and really has not come all the way back. I don’t know if it was the anesthesia, that he’s older, that he’s depressed about my mom going into the nursing home....but the change in his executive functioning was noticeable after that surgery.

Never seen it, because:

1. Either they recovered completely and were as sharp or dumb as they were before.

2. They died in hospital from the disease that sent them there.

Yes, my mom in her 90's did. Maybe 10 days time.

The hospital doctors didn't know her well, I expressed my concern re: what you mention, Op, when I was visiting her in the hospital. I had to give Drs a point of reference for them to listen to my concerns --- that she, previously was doing the NY Time crossword daily. Then the Dr "got" it.

As mentioned, though, it did resolve. Fast forward to the morning she died, she had done the crossword, and was knitting.

Be aware the in elderly, undiagnosed UTI's cause mental confusion and symptoms very much like delerium. It is VERY important to get a urine check with any elderly person having these symptoms - even more so if they have been hospitalized and had catheterization.

Is this from disorientation due to hospitalization or is it from anesthesia?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/08/07/major-surgery-doubles-risk-substantial-brain-decline-study-suggests/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/for-older-people-surgery-poses-risks-that-arent-always-made-clear/2019/08/02/b545ec24-b46d-11e9-8949-5f36ff92706e_story.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, now I know this is a known risk. Not that we had any choice. However, the mental status drop is both frightening and complicating post-discharge plans. If your parent dropped, did they ever bounce back? If so, how long did it take?

Yes, every time - how long it took depended on how long they were under for surgery and recovery. Usually 2-6 months.

OMG! That’s so long. I’m so sorry. Thanks for letting me know.

It’s gradual- so there is improvement along the way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, now I know this is a known risk. Not that we had any choice. However, the mental status drop is both frightening and complicating post-discharge plans. If your parent dropped, did they ever bounce back? If so, how long did it take?

Yes, every time - how long it took depended on how long they were under for surgery and recovery. Usually 2-6 months.

OMG! That’s so long. I’m so sorry. Thanks for letting me know.

Anonymous wrote:Well, now I know this is a known risk. Not that we had any choice. However, the mental status drop is both frightening and complicating post-discharge plans. If your parent dropped, did they ever bounce back? If so, how long did it take?

Yes, every time - how long it took depended on how long they were under for surgery and recovery. Usually 2-6 months.

My dad had this after a heart attack and bypass surgery. He got back to normal in a few months but he was only 62 at the time. It really did a number on him-- hallucinations and everything. He still talks about how traumatic it was. Post-ICU syndrome is real.