Find suitable accomodation for senior citizens
How can its appearance be detected? What should be done if there is any doubt? Can it be prevented and treated? To protect our elderly, it is imperative to better understand the sliding syndrome and adopt the appropriate approach.
It was the French geriatrician Jean Carrié who first mentioned and described the characteristics of the sliding syndrome as "a process of involution and senescence taken to its most complete state." The term "sliding," attributed later, expresses a deterioration in the patient's condition as they feel themselves "slipping" gradually. It is even referred to as "unconscious suicide." It affects 1% to 4% of hospitalized individuals aged over 70, especially those who are particularly fragile, with an average age of around 80.
The sliding syndrome is characterized by a fairly sudden change in behavior in an elderly person, accompanied by a loss of autonomy. Even someone who was perfectly independent may suddenly lose their zest for life and refuse to perform essential daily tasks such as eating, bathing, or getting out of bed. This dependency is not initially physical but results in a genuine inability to cope without the assistance of others. It can be accompanied by various anxieties, such as the fear of being alone, for example.
These warning signs should not be taken lightly, as they represent a real danger to the individual. A lack of movement creates a risk of muscle atrophy, and the body weakens due to inadequate nutrition and care, creating conditions conducive to infections, often pulmonary ones. Unfortunately, this situation can lead to death, which occurs in more than 80% of cases. It is important to note that its progression is severe but not irreversible. Even though in the majority of cases, the sliding syndrome leads to death, those who overcome it can achieve complete remission and resume eating, communicating, and improving psychologically. Those who recover have a better chance of regaining their independence if the syndrome is detected and treated in time. However, it is essential to remain vigilant to avoid the risk of relapse, which can sometimes occur.
The causes can be physical or psychological. In most cases, after a shock such as the loss of a loved one, often a spouse, an acute illness, surgery, hospitalization, an unprepared entry into a nursing home experienced as abandonment, an accident, a fracture, or a fall, especially if a certain amount of time elapses before the person is rescued or assisted by a relative. Depending on each individual's fragility, the anxiety related to the tragic event can lead to a sliding syndrome, within a few days to a month. It more frequently affects people over 80, who are weakened and suffering from certain conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, respiratory issues, and neuromuscular conditions.
Given the sudden progression of the syndrome and the difficulties associated with its management, prevention is even more fundamental and remains the most effective way to protect your loved one. Any difficult episode, whether physical or psychological, that an elderly person goes through must be accompanied by special attention and vigilance. Convalescence is a crucial stage during which the sliding syndrome can occur. The person needs to be surrounded, physically and psychologically supported. When an elderly person lives alone, they can be particularly exposed, especially in the case of a fall, where it is essential to react quickly. Indeed, the longer the person spends on the ground in fear, the longer the recovery will be, and the greater the risk of developing a sliding syndrome. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with the necessary care for a speedy recovery.
Regardless of the reason that leads to the decision to enter a nursing home, this crucial step must be well-received by the individual. By involving them in the decision, allowing them to visit or choose from photos and videos when travel is impossible, showing them a lot of affection, and maximizing the conditions for successful integration, you can prevent them from feeling abandoned. The decision to reintroduce family visits to nursing homes during the COVID-19 confinement appears to be extremely positive for the physical and psychological health of residents. Nursing homes' directors were the first to welcome the news with great relief for their residents, for the staff affected by the difficult trial of confinement related to the COVID-19 epidemic, and for the families, of course. After hospitalization, the nursing home represents an ideal place for convalescence so that the person does not end up alone at home and can benefit from all the necessary attention and care for their recovery. This significantly reduces the risk of developing a sliding syndrome.
The symptoms of the sliding syndrome can sometimes go unnoticed or hide behind the appearance of depression or other age-related and dependency-related syndromes. However, sudden loss of autonomy, unusual behavior, or refusal to eat and get out of bed should immediately alert caregivers and family members.
Generally, during convalescence or after an emotional shock, it is noticed that the person weakens further and struggles to regain their physical and mental well-being, despite apparent healing.
Clinical signs can be physical and psychological:
Anorexia and malnutrition due to refusal to eat (refusal to open the mouth or swallow).
Lack of thirst leads to dehydration.
Profound and marked fatigue.
Chronic constipation and urinary retention.
Withdrawal, mutism, cognitive decline.
Resistance to care.
Aggressiveness or, conversely, extreme passivity.
A tendency toward depression.
Refusal to move or get out of bed.
It is essential to keep in mind that a person suffering from the sliding syndrome will not seek the help of others because they precisely refuse to care for themselves. Caregivers sometimes find it challenging to quickly realize the situation and alert a caregiver in time. They do not necessarily live with their parents, and even with frequent visits, it is difficult to notice changes in behavior without attributing them to a cold, temporary fatigue, or other age-related conditions. Yet, it is crucial to remain constantly attentive to their condition to detect symptoms as quickly as possible to have a better chance of remission. A quick reaction increases the chances of recovery and may prevent the person, even after recovering from the sliding syndrome, from remaining dependent due to prolonged bed rest and muscle atrophy.
In the case of confirmed sliding syndrome, admission to a nursing home is often necessary because management is complex, and family members are often overwhelmed by the situation and do not know how to respond to a person who refuses care and may even spit out the food given to them. A team of professionals will be better able to provide essential care and psychological support, including pressure ulcer prevention, psychotherapeutic follow-up, progressive renutrition and rehydration, appropriate medication prescriptions, and the treatment of certain complications, such as the need for a rectal tube or physiotherapy massage. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Therefore, in case of doubt or upon noticing any change in behavior in an elderly loved one, do not hesitate to consult their general practitioner or even call for emergency assistance if the physician is unavailable. In such cases, it is better to risk excess caution than a delayed response.
The counselors at Senior Plus are available to help families find a nursing home that is suitable for the urgency of each situation and the needs of the individual.
or even anticipating the onset of the sliding syndrome in an elderly loved one can save their life. This phenomenon is still relatively unknown to the general public, yet signs that reveal it can often be missed. How can its appearance be detected? What should be done if there is any doubt? Can it be prevented and treated? To protect our elderly, it is imperative to better understand the sliding syndrome and adopt the appropriate approach.
It was the geriatrician Jean Carrié who first mentioned and described the characteristics of the sliding syndrome as "a process of involution and senescence taken to its most complete state." The term "sliding," attributed later, expresses a deterioration in the patient's condition as they feel themselves "slipping" gradually. It is even referred to as "unconscious suicide." It affects 1% to 4% of hospitalized individuals aged over 70, especially those who are particularly fragile, with an average age of around 80.
The sliding syndrome is characterized by a fairly sudden change in behavior in an elderly person, accompanied by a loss of autonomy. Even someone who was perfectly independent may suddenly lose their zest for life and refuse to perform essential daily tasks such as eating, bathing, or getting out of bed. This dependency is not initially physical but results in a genuine inability to cope without the assistance of others. It can be accompanied by various anxieties, such as the fear of being alone, for example.
These warning signs should not be taken lightly, as they represent a real danger to the individual. A lack of movement creates a risk of muscle atrophy, and the body weakens due to inadequate nutrition and care, creating conditions conducive to infections, often pulmonary ones. Unfortunately, this situation can lead to death, which occurs in more than 80% of cases. It is important to note that its progression is severe but not irreversible. Even though in the majority of cases, the sliding syndrome leads to death, those who overcome it can achieve complete remission and resume eating, communicating, and improving psychologically. Those who recover have a better chance of regaining their independence if the syndrome is detected and treated in time. However, it is essential to remain vigilant to avoid the risk of relapse, which can sometimes occur.
The causes can be physical or psychological. In most cases, after a shock such as the loss of a loved one, often a spouse, an acute illness, surgery, hospitalization, an unprepared entry into a nursing home experienced as abandonment, an accident, a fracture, or a fall, especially if a certain amount of time elapses before the person is rescued or assisted by a relative. Depending on each individual's fragility, the anxiety related to the tragic event can lead to a sliding syndrome, within a few days to a month. It more frequently affects people over 80, who are weakened and suffering from certain conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, respiratory issues, and neuromuscular conditions.
Given the sudden progression of the syndrome and the difficulties associated with its management, prevention is even more fundamental and remains the most effective way to protect your loved one. Any difficult episode, whether physical or psychological, that an elderly person goes through must be accompanied by special attention and vigilance. Convalescence is a crucial stage during which the sliding syndrome can occur. The person needs to be surrounded, physically and psychologically supported. When an elderly person lives alone, they can be particularly exposed, especially in the case of a fall, where it is essential to react quickly. Indeed, the longer the person spends on the ground in fear, the longer the recovery will be, and the greater the risk of developing a sliding syndrome. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with the necessary care for a speedy recovery.
Regardless of the reason that leads to the decision to enter a nursing home, this crucial step must be well-received by the individual. By involving them in the decision, allowing them to visit or choose from photos and videos when travel is impossible, showing them a lot of affection, and maximizing the conditions for successful integration, you can prevent them from feeling abandoned. The decision to reintroduce family visits to nursing homes during the COVID-19 confinement appears to be extremely positive for the physical and psychological health of residents. Nursing homes' directors were the first to welcome the news with great relief for their residents, for the staff affected by the difficult trial of confinement related to the COVID-19 epidemic, and for the families, of course. After hospitalization, the nursing home represents an ideal place for convalescence so that the person does not end up alone at home and can benefit from all the necessary attention and care for their recovery. This significantly reduces the risk of developing a sliding syndrome.
The symptoms of the sliding syndrome can sometimes go unnoticed or hide behind the appearance of depression or other age-related and dependency-related syndromes. However, sudden loss of autonomy, unusual behavior, or refusal to eat and get out of bed should immediately alert caregivers and family members.
Generally, during convalescence or after an emotional shock, it is noticed that the person weakens further and struggles to regain their physical and mental well-being, despite apparent healing.
Clinical signs can be physical and psychological:
Anorexia and malnutrition due to refusal to eat (refusal to open the mouth or swallow).
Lack of thirst leads to dehydration.
Profound and marked fatigue.
Chronic constipation and urinary retention.
Withdrawal, mutism, cognitive decline.
Resistance to care.
Aggressiveness or, conversely, extreme passivity.
A tendency toward depression.
Refusal to move or get out of bed.
It is essential to keep in mind that a person suffering from the sliding syndrome will not seek the help of others because they precisely refuse to care for themselves. Caregivers sometimes find it challenging to quickly realize the situation and alert a caregiver in time. They do not necessarily live with their parents, and even with frequent visits, it is difficult to notice changes in behavior without attributing them to a cold, temporary fatigue, or other age-related conditions. Yet, it is crucial to remain constantly attentive to their condition to detect symptoms as quickly as possible to have a better chance of remission. A quick reaction increases the chances of recovery and may prevent the person, even after recovering from the sliding syndrome, from remaining dependent due to prolonged bed rest and muscle atrophy.
In the case of confirmed sliding syndrome, admission to a nursing home is often necessary because management is complex, and family members are often overwhelmed by the situation and do not know how to respond to a person who refuses care and may even spit out the food given to them. A team of professionals will be better able to provide essential care and psychological support, including pressure ulcer prevention, psychotherapeutic follow-up, progressive renutrition and rehydration, appropriate medication prescriptions, and the treatment of certain complications, such as the need for a rectal tube or physiotherapy massage. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Therefore, in case of doubt or upon noticing any change in behavior in an elderly loved one, do not hesitate to consult their general practitioner or even call for emergency assistance if the physician is unavailable. In such cases, it is better to risk excess caution than a delayed response.
The counselors at Senior Plus are available to help families find a nursing home that is suitable for the urgency of each situation and the needs of the individual.
Find suitable accomodation for senior citizens