Risk of falls: People with dementia have up to 20 times higher risk of falling than healthy people of the same age.

30% of people over 65 fall once a year, and 50% of those over 80 do. Women have twice the risk of falling as men. 95% of all hip fractures or femoral neck fractures are caused by falls, and these fractures result in hospitalization and usually wheelchair use! Dementia and Alzheimer's patients are particularly at risk.

Sturzgefahr: Menschen mit Demenz haben ein bis zu 20-fach höheres Sturzrisiko, als gesunde, gleichaltrige Menschen.

A fall doesn't necessarily result in serious consequences or injuries (children). However, the picture is different for seniors and people with dementia. Every fall has consequences for this group! But even a seemingly "inconsequential fall" can lead to symptoms such as increased fear of falling, reduced activity, associated muscle atrophy, and even social withdrawal, which represents a loss of independence and can shorten life expectancy.

For example, going to the toilet at night can lead to a catastrophe. In Germany, around 20,000 elderly people are admitted to nursing homes each year due to hip fractures.

What are the main risk factors for falls?

Personal causes of falls:

  • Diseases that occur suddenly such as heart attack, stroke

  • Joint pain, rheumatism

  • Posture disturbance, for example due to disc wear

  • Walking difficulties

  • Stumbling due to delayed balance reflex

  • Sudden loss of consciousness

  • In diabetics with sudden hypoglycemia

  • Visual disturbances in myopia

  • Simply balance problems when getting out of bed at night

  • Psychological changes such as depression, anxiety

  • Ignorance of fall hazards

  • The progressive lenses that are difficult to get used to

Environmental causes of falls:

  • Tripping hazards caused by loose cables, overlapping carpets, pets, etc.

  • Clothes that are too long

  • Poorly fitting shoes

  • Changes in the patient room

  • Everyday objects such as tables, chairs and many other objects that children can climb on or trip over

Medication-related causes of falls:

  • Medications
  • drugs

How to reduce the risk of falls in the people you care for

First, remove anything that could cause tripping: cables, overlapping rugs, loose tiles, and obstructive furniture. Once tripping hazards are eliminated, good, discreet, and unobtrusive night lighting can help. This could be a simple plug-in light or an LED light placed under the bed that responds to movement when you get up. A dimmable bedside light attachment is very practical for providing orientation in the dark.

A pressure-sensitive sensor mat is highly recommended. It is placed in front of the bed and triggers an alarm for the caregiver as soon as a person steps on it. This allows for rapid assistance. It offers a high degree of reliability and safety and is the perfect solution for alerting caregivers when they wander around at night.

If it does happen, there is only one thing that helps: pressing the large, red button on the emergency call system , which you wear around your arm or on your collar, to signal immediate help to the caring relative.

People with dementia and Alzheimer's disease often have restless sleep. They toss and turn, and unfortunately, occasionally even get out of bed. This isn't uncommon. There's only one solution: cushion the fall as best as possible with a SafeBag fall mat placed in front of the bed.

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