At Assisting Hands Home Care, we know that many of our clients living with dementia also face an increased risk of falling. In fact, individuals aged 65 and older experiencing dementia symptoms are twice as likely to suffer from falls compared to those without cognitive decline. While dementia and falls might seem unrelated at first glance, they are deeply connected through several physical and cognitive factors.

In this blog, we’ll explore how dementia affects balance and mobility, why falls happen more often in those with memory loss, and how caregivers and families can help reduce this risk while promoting safe, independent living.

Why Are Seniors with Dementia More Prone to Falls?

Individuals 65 years or older with dementia symptoms are 2x as likely to experience a fall relative to their age equivalent counterparts. Diseases that result in dementia symptoms include Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Disease, Lewy Bodies Disease, etc. There are multiple reasons why you or a loved one who is experiencing dementia symptoms is at an increased risk for falling:

Reduced Physical Activity and Muscle Weakness

As we age, our level of physical activity decreases, resulting in declining strength and balance. This decline is even greater for individuals with dementia symptoms. This is because movement throughout the day is reduced overall, motivation levels to engage in activity often decrease, and assistance levels required for safe mobility increase. Similar to practicing your serve for tennis or drawing to improve your art skills, it’s important to routinely engage in activity and exercise to maintain your balance and strength for greater stability with movement, thus reducing your risk of falling.

What’s the best way a caregiver can assist your loved one with physical activity? A simple walk around the block goes a long way. He or she may even take a walker with a chair to rest as needed.

Behavioral Changes and Wandering

Cognitive symptoms associated with dementia can lead to behavioral changes including increased impulsivity and wandering. Such habits paired with decreased balance and strength can lead to a fall, especially if in an environment that is not safe for that individual to be moving within alone. It is additionally important to maintain a safe and clutter-free home environment for those with dementia symptoms. When a representative from Assisting Hands makes the initial assessment, we provide recommendations during the home safety evaluation portion of the visit. These suggestions usually include simple modifications such as removing throw rugs, adding grab bars, or using a shower chair.

Medication Side Effects Impacting Balance

Some medications used to reduce dementia symptoms have side effects including increased risk of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in one’s blood pressure when transitioning between positions either from lying down to sitting or sitting to standing. This decrease in blood pressure as a result of gravity acting on blood downward can result in symptoms of light headedness, dizziness, and blurred vision. It is important to transition between positions slowly or have an individual assist with transfers if you or a loved one is experiencing such symptoms. An Assisting Hands caregiver can help with medication reminders and notify the family or agency of any unusual changes or side effects that may be a result of medication. This kind of observation and reporting is essential when communicating with your doctor about medication changes or change in condition. Your loved one’s doctor may only see them for a few minutes during an appointment, making the information that a caregiver can gain while at the house for an extended period of time invaluable to prescribing the right medication and dosage.

Executive Function Decline and Its Effect on Walking

Although we often take walking for granted, it requires high levels of executive functioning. This is especially true when walking within and between rooms or within our community as the environment we may be walking through is variable. Those with dementia symptoms who have changes in executive functioning may have a harder time due to altered sensory information integration, difficulty paying attention to relevant stimuli, and reduced processing speed. All these factors are crucial for creating appropriate motor plans to adjust our movements to complete a task in a specific environment. As an example, if an individual is walking in a room where a small cardboard box has been left on the floor, that individual needs to: react to the obstacle, use their vision and balance to navigate around the obstacle safely and accurately, and not bump into or trip over any other objects that might be surrounding. Although this is a simple example, it sheds light how often we use our executive functioning and multitasking skills even for everyday activities. These everyday activities may be harder for those with dementia symptoms as a result.

How Caregivers Support Fall Prevention for Seniors with Dementia

At Assisting Hands Home Care, we understand how important it is to help your loved ones stay safe, steady, and confident every day. Our caregivers don’t just assist—they become trusted companions who genuinely care about making life easier and more secure. Here’s how they support fall prevention in a way that feels natural and compassionate:

• Encouraging gentle, safe movement: Whether it’s a slow walk around the block or some simple mobility exercises, our caregivers are there every step of the way—offering steady hands and gentle encouragement to keep muscles strong and balance steady.
• Keeping an eye on medications: Sometimes medications can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Our caregivers help make sure doses are taken on time and watch closely for any side effects, so families and doctors can make informed decisions together.
• Making the home safer: We know little things like throw rugs or poor lighting can make a big difference. That’s why our team helps spot hazards and suggests simple changes—like adding grab bars or clearing pathways—to create a safer, more comfortable living space.
• Providing calm supervision: For those moments when wandering or impulsivity might happen, our caregivers offer gentle guidance and watchful presence to keep your loved one secure without feeling restricted.
• Offering emotional support: Feeling safe is about more than just physical help. When seniors feel cared for and understood, they’re more willing to stay active and follow safety routines that protect them.

Practical Tips for Families to Reduce Fall Risks at Home

Families play a big role, too, and with a few simple steps, you can help create a safer environment for your loved one:

• Keep the home free of clutter by removing loose rugs, cords, and anything that could cause a trip or slip.
• Install grab bars and handrails in key areas like bathrooms and stairways to provide extra support.
• Make sure rooms and hallways are well-lit to reduce the chance of missteps.
• Encourage regular, gentle physical activity—even short walks can make a big difference in maintaining strength.
• Keep up with medication reviews, and don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about any side effects or changes.

Resources:

Zhang, Weihong, et al. “Review of Gait, Cognition, and Fall Risks with Implications for Fall Prevention in Older Adults with Dementia.” Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, vol. 48, no. 1-2, 2019, pp. 17–29.

Allan, Louise M., et al. “Incidence and Prediction of Falls in Dementia: A Prospective Study in Older People.” PLoS ONE, vol. 4, no. 5, 2009.