Frequent falls in dementia means repeated falls driven in part by changes in thinking, balance, and perception. Caregivers should know people living with dementia fall 4 to 5 times more often than cognitively healthy older adults and face higher fracture risk, according to the Alzheimer Society of P.E.I.
in its fall-prevention guide. Dementia is loss of memory, judgment, and other thinking abilities that interferes with daily life. Falls are not only bruises, because a fall can bring a hip fracture, hospital stay, and faster loss of independence.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- Why does dementia make falls more likely?
- How common and serious are falls?
- Do medicines raise the risk?
- What can caregivers do at home?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why does dementia make falls more likely?
Dementia impairs depth perception, judgment, balance, coordination, and recognition of danger, according to the National Institute on Aging in its updated home safety tips. A person may misjudge a step, reach for support that is not there, or walk into an unsafe place.
Changes in attention add risk. A person may forget a walker, get up too fast, or become distracted while turning. Poor lighting, clutter, loose rugs, and stairs make those errors more likely to end in a fall.
How common and serious are falls?
Falls are common in later life. More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults age 65 and older falls each year, with over 3 million emergency-department visits for fall injuries annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its STEADI program information.
Risk climbs further when dementia is present. Injury can be severe. In a large cohort study, dementia carried a 4.38-fold higher hip-fracture incidence than controls. That figure came from people already using mental-health services, so it may overstate risk for all community-dwelling people with dementia.
Do medicines raise the risk?
Yes, many common medicines raise fall risk through dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure. The list includes sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and blood-pressure drugs.
Ask the clinician for a review of all prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and supplements. Bring the bottles, note recent falls or near falls, and ask whether dose, timing, or a safer option could lower risk. Also arrange a vision check, since poor sight worsens missteps.
What can caregivers do at home?
Start with a clinician visit for medicines, vision, strength, and balance. Ask about strength and balance exercise suited to the person's ability, plus safe footwear and walking aids.
Fall-proof the home with a few direct changes: Check the plan after every fall. Record when and where it happened, what shoes were worn, and what the person was doing, then share the notes with the care team.
- Add grab bars where support is needed, improve lighting, and remove clutter and trip hazards
- Mark steps with bright tape so edges are easier to see
- Keep often-used items within easy reach to reduce climbing and rushing
- Watch for getting up at night, when confusion and poor lighting raise risk
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I call the clinician after a fall?
Call promptly, even without a visible injury, and bring the time, place, medicines taken, and any head strike, confusion change, or trouble walking.
What should I track after repeated falls?
Track date, location, activity, footwear, lighting, symptoms before the fall, and any medicine or dose change in the prior days.
