(BPT) - The "silver tsunami" of people 65 and older combined with the uptick in surgeries during the winter months is creating the perfect storm for a sometimes-overlooked issue -- postoperative delirium. More common in older people, postoperative delirium can cause symptoms such as confusion, memory problems or agitation that are usually temporary, but can lead to longer hospital stays and is associated with postoperative cognitive decline. However, if you or a loved one are 65 or older and having surgery, there are ways to reduce the risk, starting with talking to your anesthesiologist before the procedure.

Various factors can increase the risk of postoperative delirium, including the body's response to surgery, frailty and underlying medical conditions. This condition is a growing problem, considering the aging population and older adults account for more than 40% of surgeries. It affects anywhere from 5% to 52% of older adults, depending on the type of surgery and the patient's age, and the rate increases steadily with age, nearly doubling every 15 years.

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