Now that my son is starting to walk around on his own, I’m constantly having to make sure that he has his balance and is not trying to kill himself (it really seems like they try, though!). Watching him fall on his butt is almost comical because he bounces back up, or my favorite is when he massages his butt on the floor, and it looks like he’s rockin’ out!
I wish I could say that it was as easy to watch our Loved Ones With Dementia walk around with the same awe and wonder. It can be downright exhausting to keep one eye on your loved at all times, especially when they have a disease such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s that really effects their gait and balance.
Your Loved One With Dementia is 8 times more likely to fall than someone who doesn’t have dementia1.
8 times.
As if there wasn’t enough to worry about, here are some staggering statistics about falls and the elderly/compromised:
- According to the CDC, Approximately 800,000 people are hospitalized a year for falls, and those falls can result in head or hip injuries.
- 1 out of 5 falls cause a major injury
- Falls are the most common cause of a TBI, or a Traumatic Brain Injury.
The reasons a loved one could fall are many, but the main sources of falls with someone who has dementia are noted below.
Walking/Wandering
People who have dementia think that they have to be somewhere and they leave the house, sometimes with no coat (depending on the season) or shoes. Once they start walking, they forget where they’ve come or gone, and that leads to confusion and more walking. I know a daughter of a loved one with dementia whose Dad got up, walked out of the house (after she had JUST checked on him) and he walked 8 miles away from the house. 8 MILES!!!
This instance is a bit extreme, because most people looked more lost than this person did and everyone else would have tired out by then. Walking for hours and hours will cause one to get tired and fall. There are horror stories of family members who leave the house, fall, and pass away in inclement weather.
Shuffled Gait/Balance is Off
Those who have Parkinson’s, Lewy Body Dementia or later in their stages of Alzheimer’s will tend to have a stooped, shuffled gate. Their posture will cause them to lean forward or have their feet catch on rugs, cracks in pavement, or anything that will get in the way of their feet. Those who are experiencing Huntington’s will almost act as though they’re drunk because it effects their balance so badly.
Medications
Medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants are two big culprits for dizziness and drowsiness in anyone, but especially for those who have dementia. If your loved one takes an antihistamine, try to get one that doesn’t make them drowsy. Ask their doctor or pharmacist for what medication would work best for them.
Environment
If your parent lives with you or lives in their own home, there are many factors that will cause loved ones to fall if you are not acutely aware of what can make them fall.
Rugs
Rugs are a huge no-no in the senior living world. I personally love carpet (haters gonna hate), but most subscribe to the hardwood floor life, which causes a problem for those with cold feet. If you MUST have rugs, rug stoppers are helpful ways to keep your rugs from curling and your loved ones from falling.
One of my favorite ways to combat chilly feet at home is to wear house shoes! Think I’m crazy/old? Go try some on for yourself and see how comfy they can be!
Swivel chairs
I love me a good swivel chair. They are super convenient for when you have to swivel around to talk to someone or when your kids feel like getting dizzy. But for those who have dementia?
No. Nope. Neeewp.
Those who have dementia have a hard enough time with depth perception, so having them try to sit in a swivel chair is a guaranteed butt to floor chain reaction.
I am ALL for a reclining chair, just please make sure that it doesn’t swivel.
Lighting
Lighting in your/their house is key for many aspects in the house, but it’s very important to have good lighting in the house to prevent falls.
During the winter months, it’s easy for it to get dark in the house quickly, making it next to impossible for those who have dementia to get around safely. If your loved one doesn’t live with you, light timers are an inexpensive way to turn lighting on for your loved one when you’re not there.
So What Can You Do?
There are very easy ways to counteract falls, and becoming proactive instead of reactive are going to give you peace of mind and your loved one quality of life.
- Keep your/their house well lit, and make sure there are night lights in all rooms of the house so that there is a clear sight path. These are the night lights I use, and although this can seem expensive, it’ll save you thousands in hospital bills, hours of anxiety, and gosh darnit, they look cuter than the plug-on ones from the 90s!
- Keep the pathways clear! Don’t have cords lying across the floor, make sure blankets are safely tucked away, and good GOD don’t have throw rugs! Area rugs are ok, as long as you’ve taped them down.
- Make sure they are taking the medications that are best for them at this point in their lives. See what drugs have side effects of dizziness or drowsiness, and then determine with their health care professional if it’s still in their best interest to take those meds anymore.
- See that their walking assistants are still working properly. Are the little skis or tennis balls on the end of the walker looking worn? Replace them!
- If they still at a point where they can tell you if they can see well or not, go get them an eye exam. Not being able to see AND having a brain disease is a recipe for disaster.
I know that this will help you and your loved one going forward, and please, drop a comment below with other great ideas!
Here’s to staying vertical,
