Having surgery might increase the risk for long-term memory and concentration problems among older adults.

A study from Duke University Medical Center linked elective and non-emergency surgeries, such as joint replacements, with cognitive problems among all age groups when they left the hospital.

But three months later, patients over age 60 were more than twice as likely to have these problems persist. These patients were also more likely to die within the first year of surgery.

An estimated half of all adults over age 65 will have at least one surgery in their lifetime.