Polyhandicap and aging

Abstract Background Knowledge of the health status and care management of elderly individuals with polyhandicap (PLH) is lacking; however, a better understanding of the natural course of ageing in PLH persons would help optimize preventive and curative care management strategies. Objectives To describe PLH persons aged 18–68 years by providing i) a description of their health status and ii) a description of their medications, medical devices and rehabilitation procedures. Methods This was an 18-month cross-sectional study including people aged 18–68 years with a combination of severe motor deficiency and profound intellectual impairment. They were recruited from 4 specialized rehabilitation centres, 9 residential facilities, and a neurological department. The following data were collected: polyhandicap aetiology, health status, medical devices, and rehabilitation procedures. Results A total of 474 PLH persons were included (N = 219 [18–34 years], N = 151 [35–49 years], N = 104 [50–68] years). The aetiology of polyhandicap was unknown for 13%–17% of PLH persons across the 3 age classes. Behavioural disorders and pain were more frequent in the oldest age classes. Elderly PLH persons had more severe but less unstable polyhandicap. Their neurodevelopmental was close to that of a 4-month-old child without progression across age. Gastrostomy was the most frequent device needed by the PLH persons. Conclusions The longevity of PLH persons is improving; some of these persons, among whom are the least unstable and with less comorbidity, can survive for more than 50 years due to the improvement of preventive actions and supportive care.