Dementia post surgery affects

hotspurcoach

My sister in law was in a bad accident and post surgery her dementia progressed from her being functional to what appears like end stages of alzheimers. She doesn't recognize people in the current timeline and doesn't want to eat or drink and is bed ridden. Is there any hope she might improve at all? Or are we looking at hospice?

Quilting brings calm

Dementia progression after surgery is real as is delirium during/after a hospital stay. How long has it been since the surgery?

hotspurcoach

6 weeks

LicketyGlitz

I would definitely seek out hospice, it is totally normal that any health event (or life event) will often send dementia in a race to the finish line. Doesn't mean that's where it ends up, but hospice will be so very helpful whether your sister-in-law is reaching the end-stage or rallies!

Hospice will come and do a intake session with your sister-in-law and primary caregivers that will decide if she's eligible for hospice. People do graduate out of it, and the support they provide the caregiver is immeasurable. Hospice is covered, and you can choose whichever one you find that best fits your sister-in-law and the households needs.

harshedbuzz

Sadly, dementia can go from 0-60 as the result of trauma. Injury, effects of anesthesia and being hospitalized can really impact the elderly. Some do recover to a baseline once they're recover and returned home to their routines but some-- especially with dementia-- are left functioning at a much lower level.

This happened with my aunt who had VD. She suffered a fall in AL and was likely on the floor for the better part of a day. She broke a hip and wrist. She had surgery to repair the hip and was hospitalized for about a week before being sent to a SNF for rehab. By the time she got to rehab, she was too impaired to cooperate with therapy or to recall that she wasn't supposed to try to walk. Family had to provide a 24/7 sitter until she died a few months later.

My mom developed hospital-induced psychosis after TKR when she was 80. It was hard, she was in a city an hour away and I was managing that and my dad with dementia who couldn't be left alone so I wasn't there to help. She rebounded in a day or so once she was home.

HB

MN Chickadee

I'm sorry you are in this situation. Sadly this is within the realm of normal. All kinds of things can send a PWD into tailspin, and surgery/pain/hospitalization is a big one. Sometimes the end comes much sooner than you were expecting. I would have her screened for hospice. It won't hasten anything, but will be an added layer of service and for her and her family. Even if she did rebound a little it sounds like she would still qualify. It's free and provides supports and equipment and will ensure her days are as comfortable as possible.