Her short term memory is very poor, and when she had a similar surgery a year ago, it was almost impossible to keep her lying down for any length of time. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has dealt with a similar situation & has any tips or advice. I am also contacting her primary care physician about any medication that may help. Thanks!
Could you semi-trick your aunt into laying prone for a long time by bringing lotions, emery board, cuticle pusher, little bowl to dip her fingers in with liquid cuticle softener, and nail buffer, and clear shellac or a pretty color nail polish, and work on her hands and feet as soon as she gets restless post-op and wants to get up?
If you massage her hands and feet with lotion, use emery board, pretend to use nail polish etc I bet you can convince her she needs to stay still until the shellac dries…like you have to move not at all, or very carefully in real life after a mani-pedi.
Maybe you can stretch out her supposed beauty treatments for a long time without her getting antsy. She might actually enjoy the pamperment, too.
Good luck with this tough situation!
Any special needs the patient has, including behaviour due to dementia should be discussed with the surgeon/specialist & factored in.
Have seen other day procedures like dental surgery, cataracts, colonoscopy, gastroscopy done as in-patient rather than day patients if the patient's special needs warrant it.
Good luck!