Of all the surgeries in the U.S., seniors account for nearly 40%, and nearly 1 in 7 major surgeries done on older adults results in death within a year of the surgery. These statistics show that the risks to the future health of a senior having surgery should be seriously considered before decisions are made. A study done by the Journal of the American Medicine Association (JAMA) looked into this after noting a gap in the research. The study showed 1 in 3 older adults did not return to their baseline functioning six months after surgery. It addresses outcomes of their surgeries and highlights areas of concern particular to this population. This article poses questions and provides insights that will help you or an older person in your life decide if surgery is the best option.
Should Older Seniors Risk Major Surgery? New Research Offers Guidance | Kaiser Health News (khn.org)
