Epidemiology and Falls Risk Factors in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults

Abstract

Falls and cognitive impairment are common among older adults, and the prevalence of each increases with age. Compared to cognitively healthy older adults, those with cognitive impairment fall more often, sustain more serious fall-related injuries such as fractures and head injuries, are less likely to make a good functional recovery after a fall- related injury, and have an increased risk of mortality. Many falls risk factors have been identified for older adults in general, yet little is known about falls and falls risk factors specific to cognitive impairment or dementia subtypes.