Certain conditions or situations put older individuals, including those with Alzheimer's disease, at higher chance of falls. For example:
- Poor Eyesight.
This can keep individuals from seeing hazards and objects in their path, and lead to trips or slips.
- Walking and Balance Problems.
Disorders such as stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and neurological disease may affect muscle strength and reaction time. As a result, balance may not be quite the same as it was.
- Use of Medications.
Taking too much medication or the wrong combination of drugs can sometimes affect judgment, coordination and balance.
- Lack of Exercise.
Inactivity results in weakened muscle and lack of flexibility. This can change balance and the way individuals walk, thereby increasing the chances of falling.
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In addition, for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, specific cognitive decline associated with the disorder can place them at even greater risk. Any significant loss of cognitive function can result in:
- Lack of understanding and awareness of the potential for falls and
the need for assistance.
- Judgmental errors, such as an inability to recognize a difference between
safe and hazardous mobility, and a misperception of environmental dangers.
- Overestimation of one's capacity for safe mobility ("I can do it myself"),
and, as a result, individuals attempt to accomplish tasks that they are no
longer capable of safely performing by themselves.
- Failing to remember limitations in daily living, such as forgetting that
they can't walk by themselves.
- Insistence on performing activities, such as attempting to get up from a
chair and going to the toilet even though they are wearing incontinence garments,
either because of forgetfulness or a failure to understand the intervention.
- Inability to ask for assistance with mobility because of communication problems.
- Refusing or forgetting to seek help with mobility or to use assistive devices,
such as canes, walkers and bathroom grab bars.
- Incapable of understanding the need for assistive devices or using them correctly.
Posted May 2010
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