Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults and can lead to life changing consequences, including loss of independence or risk of death. According to a US study published in JAMA Network Openit could also be a precursor to cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Researchers analysed data for more than 2.4 million older adult patients who suffered a traumatic injury. Patients who suffered these injuries from falls were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with dementia within a year compared with those with other types of injuries. As many as 10.6 per cent of patients who experienced a fall were later diagnosed with dementia. Falls increased the risk of a future dementia diagnosis by 21 per cent compared with other types of injuries.
“The relationship between falls and dementia appears to be a two-way street,”said the senior author. “Cognitive decline can increase the likelihood of falls, but trauma from those falls may also accelerate dementia’s progression and make a diagnosis more likely down the line.”
Since falls could be an early sign of cognitive decline or undiagnosed dementia, researchers recommend cognitive screening for seniors who experience a fall. Screenings could help identify seniors who are at risk for mental decline, start them on treatment sooner and improve outcomes.
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