Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Stay Active

Keep doing your usual activities and exercise as much as you safely can. Walking, stretching, gardening and other exercises can help your strength, balance and independence.

Keep your mind active too. Talk with family and friends, read, do puzzles, listen to music or enjoy your usual hobbies.

Get good sleep

Keep regular sleep and wake times. You can also:

• Avoid caffeine, energy drinks, and large meals late in the day.
• Limit screen time before bed.
• Keep your bedroom quiet and comfortable.
• Tell your doctor if you have any ongoing sleep problems.

Eat well and drink enough

Eat regular meals with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and protein. Drink enough fluids unless your doctor has told you to limit fluids.

Follow the directions from your hospital on when to stop eating and drinking before your surgery. 

Bring your glasses, hearing aids and dentures

These can help you see, hear and communicate clearly after surgery and reduce confusion. Label these items with your name.

Check your medicines

Tell your healthcare team  about everything you take, including:

• Prescription medicines
• Pain medicines
• Sleeping tablets or medicines for anxiety
• Medicines bought from a pharmacy or supermarket
• Vitamins and herbal or complementary products.

Some medicines may need to be changed before surgery. Bring an up-to-date list of your medicines or your medicines with you..

Tell us about alcohol and smoking

Tell your healthcare team how much alcohol you drink and whether you smoke, vape or use other substances. This helps us keep you safe. Alcohol, smoking and withdrawal can affect anaesthesia and recovery.

If you drink alcohol regularly or every day, do not stop suddenly without medical advice. Your doctor can help you reduce alcohol or smoking safely .

Ask questions and involve your support people

Ask questions about your surgery, pain relief, recovery and going home.

Family, friends or carers can help you remember information, provide support and let staff know if they notice a change in you. 

Manage stress

Feeling nervous before surgery is normal. Deep breathing, relaxation exercises, mindfulness, music, or talking with someone you trust may help.

Speak up if you are not feeling like yourself Tell a staff member immediately if you feel: confused unusually sleepy frightened or restless different from your usual self.   Family members and carers should also tell staff if they notice a sudden change in your thinking, behaviour, alertness or ability to do your usual activities. Recognising changes early means the healthcare team can look for and treat possible causes. Sudden new or worsening confusion is not a normal part of ageing and requires urgent medical assessment.

Get moving safely

Start sitting up, standing and walking when your healthcare team says it is safe. Ask for help and use your usual walking aid.

Tell us about pain

Tell your healthcare team if your pain is not controlled or stopping you from moving, sleeping or taking deep breaths.

• Also tell staff if pain medicines are making you unusually sleepy, nauseated or confused

Eat, drink and use the bathroom

Eat and drink as advised by your team. Tell staff if you are thirsty, cannot eat or drink, feel constipated or are having trouble passing urine.

Help your brain stay orientated

Wear your glasses and hearing aids during the day. Have a clock, calendar and familiar belongings nearby.

Daylight, conversation and gentle activity during the day can help you sleep better at night.

Delirium is usually temporary, but recovery can take time. Some may feel tired, have poor concentration, disturbed sleep, anxiety or changes in memory for weeks or longer.

After leaving hospital:

• Gradually return to your usual activities
• Continue gentle exercise
• Eat well and drink enough
• Take medicines as instructed
• Use your glasses, hearing aids and walking aids
• Accept help from family, friends or carers
• See your GP if you have not returned to your usual self