My aunt had surgery for a broken shoulder and since then her mental status has gone down hill. They took her to rehab cause she lost her leg function( which before that she was walking with a walker and pretty much independent) but she can't stay awake to do therapy and just mumbles and sings and sees things. They have done all kind of tests in the hospital which all came back normal. She is refusing to eat or drink. I might get her to eat tiny bits. What should I expect from all this
My aunt had surgery on her finger which left her confused for at least a year if not longer. Some people skate right through with no repercussions. Some it seems to accelerate cognitive decline.
On the flip side, my mother is actively trying to "self hurt" so she can get surgery. She is NOT supposed to walk w/o her walker when she is outside her apt. and the other day my kids were visiting from out of town and they said she "crept" along the walls into the living room to visit with them. My SIL is a dr and hopped up to help her, KNOWING she's a fall risk. Sure enough, sis in law came in with the walker a few moments later. She told me mom is trying to have a "fall" so she'll get to have surgery. (She was denied a 2nd hip replacement and any further surgeries due to severe osteoporosis and general poor health). (Sigh) I'm sure she'll get her wish, sooner or later.
This is not uncommon, it's sad, but it's all part of the downhill slope. Mother can have no more surgeries, they've stated emphatically she wouldn't make it through one (age 86).
I wouldn't not look in to the o-sats. That could be a factor. I would look into all possibilities before just assuming it's one or the other thing. Also, GA is pretty hard on geriatrics. My DIL is an Anesthesiologist and she says GA is really, really hard on older people--they just don't shake it off well.
A broken bone is a shock to the body and older people often don't completely recover. Even the hospital experience can be upsetting enough to set someone back. As mentioned, anesthesia is also a risk.
There was nothing that you could have done differently. Your aunt may or may not get better with time. She could even continue to decline mentally. Sadly, these things become part of the aging process for many.
So what you can. Keep an eye on the medications because they can add to the problem. And take care of yourself, as well.
Carol