Falls: An Early Warning Sign of Dementia

Dementia is a group of symptoms that mark the decline of the brain. These symptoms can interfere with a person's ability to do daily tasks. Common symptoms include memory loss and cognitive decline.^1,2

Dementia is more common among older people. In fact, about one-third of people over age 85 have some form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form. However, there are other types of dementia, including vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.²

Falls are also more common as people get older. Between 28 and 35 percent of people over the age of 65 have at least 1 fall each year. There may be a connection between dementia and fall risks.^1,3-5

Are falls an early warning sign of dementia?

People who have dementia may be at increased risk of falling. There are several possible reasons for this link:^1,3,5

• Problems with mobility and balance
• Problems with memory
• Problems with processing their environment and reacting to potential risks
• Dizziness or lower blood pressure because of medicines
• Vision problems that make it harder for eyes to adjust to changes in lighting

A fall might cause a short-term injury, such as bruising, soreness, or a swollen ankle. It could also cause more serious problems such as concussion or broken bones. These could lead to long-term disability or even death.^3,4

A 2022 study found that the number of falls a person with dementia has begins to increase about 4 years before their dementia diagnosis. The same study found that falls linked to dementia that caused injury were more likely to occur in women, heavy alcohol drinkers, and those with cardiometabolic diseases (CMD).³

A 2024 study found that about 1 in 10 people who have a fall are likely to be diagnosed with dementia within the next year. Overall, those who had falls had a 21 percent higher risk of a dementia diagnosis.⁴

How to create a safe, dementia-friendly environment

Creating a safe environment where a person is less likely to fall is important for older people. And it is especially important for people with dementia. There are a number of ways you can make a space safer:^1,5

• Make sure there is lots of bright light. This can be either from natural light or strong artificial light.
• Add signage if necessary. For a person with dementia, signs can act as helpful reminders around the house. They can mark stairs, doorways, and so on.
• Remove trip hazards, such as loose rugs, power cords, or clutter on the floor.
• Install grab bars in the bathroom.
• Use contrasting colors. Bright colors can offer a sharp contrast and help a doorway or a step to stand out more. If everything is decorated in the same color, it may be hard to see possible fall risks. A brightly colored chair, sofa, or bed covering can also help to prevent falls when sitting down.

When to see a doctor

Falls are not always a sign of dementia. Many people fall every day because of something as simple as a wet floor, or sheer bad luck. But if you notice that you or a family member are having falls more often, see your doctor. They can check that there are no serious physical injuries from the fall. They can also check for early signs of dementia.^2,4,5

While there is no known cure for dementia, with early diagnosis some symptoms can be treated. Early diagnosis also allows a person to plan ahead for managing the condition.²