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Review
. 2020 Sep;104(5):791-806.
doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.06.003. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

The Intersection of Falls and Dementia in Primary Care: Evaluation and Management Considerations

Colleen M Casey  1 , Jamie Caulley  2 , Elizabeth A Phelan  3
Affiliations
Review

The Intersection of Falls and Dementia in Primary Care: Evaluation and Management Considerations

Colleen M Casey et al. Med Clin North Am. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

A large body of research has addressed the assessment and management of fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. Persons with dementia are at higher risk for falls and fall-related injuries, yet less is known about effective strategies for reducing falls and injuries among those with dementia. Falls and dementia are regularly considered to be discrete conditions and are often managed separately. Increasing evidence shows that these conditions frequently co-occur, and one may precede the other. This article explores the relationship between falls and dementia, including the importance of rehabilitation strategies for reducing fall risk in these individuals.

Keywords: Fall prevention; Falls; Occupational therapy; Older adults; Persons with dementia; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation services; Risk assessment and management.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure This work was not directly funded by any grant. However, it was indirectly funded through other work by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the John A. Hartford Foundation, which funded our organization's Age Friendly Health System work. For the JAHF, they funded both an Age-Friendly Health System grant (Casey/Caulley) as well as through a Practice Change Leader's grant (Casey). The Practice Change Leader grant was also funded through Atlantic Philanthropies.