Falls among the persons with Dementia and Interventions to reduce falls in a Dementia ward

Si Ching

Abstract

Falls are common among the elderly persons with dementia (PWD). For the elderly PWD, the risk of serious injurious falls is 3-4 times higher compared to their peers without dementia. In a hospital setting, the elderly with dementia and delirium make up for more than 90% of the hospital falls.The older adults with frequent falls often have multiple predisposing factors such as gait and balance disorders, peripheral neuropathy, visual impairment, lower limb weakness, multiple medications, functional dependency, vestibular dysfunction, footwear, environmental features like loose carpets, toys, etc. The seniors are often on a long list of prescription medications for various ailments, culprit medications known to increase fall risks include psychotropic, antihypertensive and antiarrythmic drugs.