Sit Up Get Dressed Keep Moving

Preventing deconditioning and enabling independence for older people

Assess

“Deconditioning syndrome is the condition of physical, psychological and functional

decline that occurs as a result of a series of complex physiological changes induced by
prolonged bed rest or inactivity. It is commonly experienced by older people in a hospital
or care home setting. Though deconditioning can affect people of any age, the effect on A comprehensive A risk assessment Glasses, hearing
older people may be more rapid, more severe, and often irreversible” - Dr Amit Arora assessment should be should be aid, clock and
completed to determine completed calendar should be
usual capabilities accessible
Muscle and joint
Pneumonia due to
stiffness, leading to
reduced ability to walk
prolonged bed rest Support
Increased
confusion or
disorientation

Increased Further
risk of falls immobility due
due to muscle to inactivity
Are there appropriate Walking to the toilet Sitting in a chair can
weakness mobility aids available? helps to prepare for help you.
Deconditioning Ask: Is it the right size going home. Ask: Do you need
syndrome and reachable? Ask: Is the catheter help getting out of
really needed? bed?
Encourage
Increased risk
of swallowing
Constipation and problems leading
incontinence to pneumonia

Appetite and
Skin breakdown, Feed and take fluids Wash and dress Keep arms and
digestion can be Clots in the legs
leading to pressure affected independently independently in legs moving, even
and lungs own clothes
ulcers in bed or on a chair
#SitUpGetDressedKeepMoving University Hospitals of North Midlands ©