Other reasons why the person may be at risk of falls:
• The person may struggle to process what they see and find it harder to judge space and gaps between furniture and other items.
• Thirst or hunger can cause dizziness, so it’s important to ensure the person remains hydrated and eats regular, healthy foods.
• Some medications like anti-depressants or Antipsychotic drugs used to treat dementia symptoms can cause drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause a drop in blood pressure when the person stands up, again increasing the risk of a fall.
• In an older person with dementia, reflexes and motor skills (ability to react and respond to changes) can slow down.
Ways to reduce the risk of tripping or falling
• Making the person’s home spacious and clutter-free is a good way to reduce the risk of them bumping into furniture and other items.
• Ensure that bulbs in the person’s home are bright and the lighting is consistent throughout.
• Adding signs to doors will help the person find their way around more easily and alleviate confusion.
• Get rid of loose rugs or frayed carpets.
• Get rid of clutter in the hallway that the person might bump into when returning from walks.
• Encourage the person to use comfortable chairs they can get up and down from easily
• Make sure any cleaning products used don’t cause slippery floors.
• Encourage the person to wear comfortable shoes indoors, rather than loose slippers, socks or going barefoot, especially if they have wooden or laminated floors.
• Make sure the bathroom has suitable grab rails.
• Make sure you haven’t splashed water on the bathroom or kitchen floor if you have recently cleaned or washed up.
• Encourage the person or their family to have any outdoor hazards (such as loose paving stones or steps), repaired or replaced, so there’s less risk of falling over when they go outside.
What to do if the person has a fall
So long as the person hasn’t had an injury, support them to get up slowly.
Dementia UK advises that the person should get up by rolling onto their hands and knees, look for a sturdy item, and hold onto it for support when they get up.
If the person can’t get up or it looks like they have been injured, call 999 for an ambulance.
Don’t try to move them. Keep the person warm with a blanket or drape an item of clothing, such as a fleece, over them until help arrives.
Reducing the risk of falls at night
Night-time falls can be a risk as the person may try to get up too quickly to get to the toilet while still sleepy and disorientated.
Make sure the person has a night light somewhere near the bedroom – ideally in the hallway – and put a sign on the bathroom door so that they don’t get lost when they need to use the loo.
If they are less mobile or unsteady, a commode in the bedroom could be a good idea as they won’t have to reach the bathroom.
Sources:
https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/health-advice/dementia-and-falls/
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/staying-independent/stairs-reducing-risk-falls#:~:text=Reducing%20your%20risk%20of%20falls,sitting%2C%20standing%20and%20walking%20exercises.