You need to understand the ways to prevent falls in seniors with dementia before it is too late.
Falls are a significant health concern for seniors, especially those with dementia. Dementia affects balance, coordination, vision, and judgment – all factors that can increase fall risk.
The home is where most falls happen for seniors. Take some time to survey the home environment and make changes to reduce hazards. Consider these tips:
1. Make the Home Environment Safer
- Improving lighting throughout the home, adding nightlights in hallways and bathrooms, placing lamps and light switches within easy reach, and using maximum wattage bulbs. Good lighting reduces tripping hazards.
- Removing tripping hazards like rugs, clutter, and uneven surfaces. Tack down loose rugs and carpet edges, or remove rugs altogether. Ensure walkways are clear.
- Installing grab bars and railings in the bathroom near the toilet, tub, and shower. Grab bars provide stability for balancing and ease of movement.
- Using slip-resistant mats in the bathtub and on shower floors. Mats provide traction to prevent slipping.
- A raised toilet seat and safety frame make it easier to get on and off the toilet.
- Re-arranging furniture to create wide, unobstructed pathways through each room.
2. Adapt the Bathroom
The bathroom, especially the shower, is a prime area for falls. It’s wise to make some adaptations to improve bathroom safety. Consider:
- Installing a walk-in shower with grab bars and a shower seat. Walk-in showers eliminate the need to step over a tub edge.
- A hand-held shower head makes bathing more accessible and safer by allowing seniors to sit while bathing.
- Using a plastic shower chair that fits inside the tub provides a safe place to sit while showering.
- A tub seat that extends over the tub edge allows the senior to sit while entering and exiting.
These simple bathroom adaptations allow seniors with dementia to bathe independently and safely for longer.
3. Ensure Proper Footwear
Unsuitable footwear is a top cause of falls in seniors. Proper footwear can help prevent slips and improve stability. Look for:
- Shoes that fit well and are comfortable. Well-fitted shoes with Velcro or slip-on closures are best.
- Non-slip soles provide traction and prevent slipping, especially on smooth floors.
- Low heels. Seniors should avoid shoes with high heels, which affect balance.
- Avoid socks or slippers alone, which are slippery and provide no support.
Check seniors’ shoes regularly for wear and ensure proper fit. Replace as needed. Proper footwear gives seniors a solid base of support and grip.
4. Encourage Regular Exercise
Lack of physical activity leads to poor leg strength, stiffness, imbalance, and slowed reflexes – all fall risks. Encourage seniors with dementia to exercise regularly. Appropriate exercises include:
- Walking – Ideally, 30 minutes daily or multiple 10-15-minute sessions.
- Tai Chi – This gentle exercise improves strength, balance, and coordination.
- Yoga – Yoga helps seniors improve balance, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Strength Training – Use exercise bands, small weights, or body weights to build leg muscle strength. Focus on hips and knees.
- Balancing Exercises – Heel-to-toe walking, tandem stance, and upward leg raises improve steadiness.
Dementia caregivers can assist with exercise programs or enroll seniors in specialized dementia exercise classes. Moving regularly maintains mobility and reduces fall risk.
5. Review Medications
Medications, especially in combination, may cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and fainting – all potentially dangerous for seniors. Have a doctor review all medications and dosages, looking for:
- Medications to treat multiple conditions that could interact negatively.
- Psychoactive medications that affect cognition, balance, and coordination.
- Medications that cause drops in blood pressure that lead to instability.
- Over-medication that leads to confusion and clumsiness.
The goal is to find the most effective medication regimen with the least likelihood of side effects or interactions that increase fall risks.
6. Manage Health Conditions
Underlying health conditions like heart disease, infections, blood pressure changes, and postural hypotension can all make seniors unsteady. Manage health conditions carefully:
- Monitor vital signs for indications of infections, dehydration, or heart issues.
- Control high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Watch for and treat postural hypotension – drops in BP upon standing that cause dizziness.
- Improve circulation and decrease stiffness through light exercise.
Well-controlled health conditions reduce the chances of sudden changes that can precipitate falls.
7. Check Vision Regularly
Impaired vision makes it difficult to see and avoid hazards. Dementia affects visual processing, too. Schedule regular vision exams and update prescriptions to maximize sight. Get training on:
- Using bifocals properly while walking – looking through the lower portion of the lenses.
- Safely using a cane or walker for stability. White canes help those with severe vision loss.
- Adapting living spaces with improved lighting, color/contrast, and removing obstacles.
Poor vision paired with dementia doubles the fall risk. Pay attention to regular vision checks and corrections.
8. Use Mobility Aids Safely
Canes, walkers, and wheelchairs help seniors with dementia remain mobile, but they also come with fall risks if misused. Ensure proper use of mobility aids:
- Get training from a physical therapist on the correct use of all aids, including how to get up from chairs and beds. Refresher training helps, too.
- Don’t use old, worn-out walkers or canes. Check grips and tips and replace them as needed.
- For walkers and rollers, use brakes carefully. Inspect regularly.
- Allow plenty of time to navigate safely. Rushing causes accidents.
- Wear shoes, not slippers, when using canes and walkers.
Mobility aids are invaluable for seniors but need proper fitting, maintenance, and training to prevent falls.
9. Address Incontinence Issues
Incontinence, especially urge incontinence, prompts urgent, reckless rushing to the bathroom that can end in a fall. Manage incontinence through:
- Scheduled bathroom trips to avoid urgency.
- Lighting the path to the bathroom at night.
- Handrails for support on the path to the bathroom.
- Absorbent bedding and clothing to handle accidents confidently.
- Urologist evaluations for underlying causes and treatments.
Containing and managing incontinence reduces the urge to rush to the bathroom at all costs.
10. Provide Adequate Supervision
Seniors with dementia require more supervision than they think. Dementia damages judgment skills, too. Provide appropriate supervision based on current abilities:
- Reminders to use walkers or canes consistently.
- Stand guard while showering or bathing.
- Night-time monitoring or bed alarms to detect wandering.
- Check that slippers have grips and shoes fit correctly each day.
- Removal of hazards the senior may forget about.
Conclusion – 10 Ways to Prevent Falls in Seniors with Dementia
The right amount of supervision helps compensate for lapses in memory, judgment, and physical ability.
Falls threaten the health, safety, and independence of seniors with dementia. Attention to these preventive measures can significantly reduce their risk of dangerous tumbles.
With home adaptations for safety, managing health conditions, medication reviews, vision optimization, mobility aid training, incontinence control, and adequate supervision, seniors with dementia can continue to thrive.
For more information on ways to prevent falls in seniors with dementia, contact Applewood Our House.
