8 Tips for Preventing Dementia-Related Falls

The statistics around falls are staggering. The Centers for Disease Control reports that 10,000 Americans turn 65 daily, and one in four adults experience a fall daily. Statistics also tell us that people with dementia are four to five times more likely to fall than older people who do not have cognitive impairment.

Now consider this: more than 20 percent of older adults who fall sustain serious injuries, and 800,000 people require hospitalization after a fall. What does this tell us? Fall prevention is key to protecting the health, safety, and life longevity of your loved one, especially if they are living with Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia.

Read these eight tips from the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Network to help caregivers and families understand what increases the risk of dementia-related falls and how to prevent them.

Jane Yousey, a registered and licensed occupational therapist and the manager of organizational learning and development at FirstLight Home Care provides her insights and recommendations.