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Dementia is a devastating disease that impacts one in 10 older Americans. But while many people want to avoid developing dementia, the exact causes of the condition have remained largely a mystery. Now, new research has found one potential risk factor for developing dementia: falls.
That’s the major takeaway from a study published in JAMA Network Open in September. But what do falls have to do with dementia, and what can older adults do to lower their risk? Here’s the deal, according to neurologists.
Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. William Hu, MD, associate professor and chief of cognitive neurology and the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinic at the Rutgers Institute for Health.
What did the study find?
For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 2 million older adults who had sustained a traumatic injury. The researchers discovered that more than 10 percent of those who had injuries were diagnosed with some type of dementia in the year after their fall.
Ultimately, the researchers discovered that falling was linked with a 21 percent higher risk for a future dementia diagnosis.
As a result, the researchers recommend that anyone over the age of 65 who has a bad fall be screened for dementia.
Does falling increase risk of dementia?
Doctors say that it’s unlikely. “Dementia is not going to ‘begin’ acutely after a fall,” says William Hu, MD, associate professor and chief of cognitive neurology and the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinic at the Rutgers Institute for Health. “Many people with dementia have balance issues.”
When someone has a big fall, Hu says it’s a signal to doctors to investigate how someone is functioning cognitively, physically, and emotionally. “Thus, the emergency department/hospital visit for the fall may have just alerted the health care system of detectable memory issues, which lead to greater evaluation (and thus diagnosis) of dementia,” Hu says.
If someone fell and lost consciousness, they may also develop structural changes in the brain “which may worsen memory loss,” says Clifford Segil, DO, neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. But, in general, Segil says that “it is challenging to assign how a ground-level fall could worsen dementia.”
What can I do to avoid falls?
Falls are a big concern for older adults, but there are a few things that can be done to lower the risks of them happening.
“Addressing postural and orthopedic issues can prevent falls,” Hu says. “Sometimes, you may need to work with a trainer specializing in senior exercises to improve overall strength, balance, and stability.”
He also suggests doing these things to lower the risk of falling:
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Getting the right shoes
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Making sure rugs are secured to the floor inside your home
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Decluttering
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Using a nightlight for trips to the bathroom at night
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Leaving plenty of extra time to get to the doctor’s or somewhere else to avoid rushing
If you’re concerned about a fall risk for yourself or a loved one, it’s a good idea to consult with a medical provider—they should be able to provide personalized guidance.
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