According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls and fall-related issues are the leading cause of fatal injury and most common cause of hospital-related admissions among seniors. One in four seniors falls each year, and every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. For seniors with dementia, the risk of falling increases significantly.

“There are many symptoms associated with dementia that increase the risk of falling,” says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH. “People with dementia are often at greater risk than the general senior population because of their difficulty with memory, mobility, balance and other processing-related issues.”

Those with dementia may also take medicines that cause issues such as dizziness and drowsiness. They also can find it difficult to communicate their fears, feelings or needs, which can lead to minor issues becoming huge problems down the road.

Michelle says that every person has a unique experience with dementia, and just because your loved one has dementia doesn’t mean that they will have an increased risk of falling. “However, it’s important for caregivers and loved ones to understand the different risk factors, look for potential issues and take steps to ensure their seniors with dementia reduce their risk of falling,” she says.

Mobility Issues

One of the biggest risk factors for seniors overall (not just those with dementia) is mobility issues. As we get older, our muscle strength dwindles, our balance becomes unsteady and our range of motion becomes smaller due to injuries or medical issues like arthritis. Individuals with dementia also have to battle the atrophy of parts of the brain that are responsible for movement. Over the course of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, a person gradually loses their physical ability.

Getting a regular amount of physical activity is one of the best ways to help improve mobility and balance for seniors. A good rule of thumb is to get about 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise five times a week. Activities like yoga, walking or tai chi are great forms of exercise that marry aerobic exercise with balance and strength training. Ask your doctor about different forms of exercise that would work for your loved one’s abilities and situation.

Wandering

Some individuals with dementia have a tendency to wander. They may wander throughout the home from room to room, or they may leave the house entirely. This is incredibly scary for caregivers, because wandering carries a high risk of injury in addition to getting lost. There are many reasons why seniors with dementia wander, each as individual as the person themselves. They could be searching for something or someone, heading off to a location that no longer exists (such as the workplace), experiencing pain or discomfort, feeling insecure, have too much energy or are simply bored.

Caregivers can help their loved ones stay safe and reduce their risk of wandering through many different ways. Making sure the individual gets enough daily exercise is one way. It’s also important for those with dementia to have activities and tasks they can perform to help keep their mind and body engaged. If wandering is an issue for your loved one, speak with a physician or a social worker about safety tips and tricks that you can use to reduce the risk.

Medication Side Effects

Antidepressants, antipsychotics and other medications are sometimes used to treat the symptoms associated with dementia. However, these medications carry a variety of side effects that can put a senior at risk of falling. These types of medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness and lowered blood pressure. Be sure to review any new and existing medications with a physician at your loved one’s yearly checkup. If you suddenly notice any new symptoms following the introduction of a new medication, check with the doctor to see if there are alternatives that can be just as beneficial with fewer side effects.

Vision Issues

In the mid to later stages of dementia, changes in the brain cause difficulty in the way that information from the eyes is processed. This leads to sight loss, difficulty with depth perception as well as hallucinations or misunderstandings of what they’re seeing (such as thinking a shadow on the floor is actually a hole in the ground). Caregivers can make a home safer by ensuring rooms are well-lit, that trippable items (like magazine racks, ottomans and other items) are removed from the floor and that rugs are secured with nonslip backing (or are removed entirely).

Home Environment Issues

It’s essential that your loved one’s living space is as dementia-friendly as possible in order to mitigate fall risk. This means making sure that the space is easy to navigate, free from hazards and comfortable for them. Here are some things you can do to make an environment safe for your loved one with dementia:

• Add signage to doors and walkways so your loved one knows where they are going.
• Use contrasting colors to improve visibility – for example, make sure that chairs, toilet seats or beds are different colors than the floor.
• Install grab bars and other mobility assistance devices to well-traveled places in your home.

Mood and Feelings

Depression is a huge issue for people with dementia. Depression affects everything from physical activity, appetite, sleep and other factors that can lead to an increased risk of falls. Pay attention to your loved one’s emotions, feelings and anxiety level, and speak to a physician if you notice anything concerning. You should also pay attention to triggers your loved one may have. Anything that makes him or her restless, distressed or stressed can increase their risk of falls. Common triggers include being in pain, needing to use the bathroom, being hungry or thirsty, being bored, being lonely … you’ll need to find out what specific triggers affect your loved one so you can take steps to reduce their incidence.

A Fulfilling Lifestyle

Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides expert memory care within an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfilment in daily life.

Dedicated Memory Care

Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s individual strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.

Stunning, Purpose-Built Design

Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations, provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.

 Contact us today to learn more.