Dementia and Falling

Dementia Facts:

Man and Woman sat in a dining room, at a table doing a jigsaw puzzle
  • 900,000 people with dementia are living in UK.
  • This is projected to rise to over 1 million by 2025, and 1.6million by 2040.
  • 77% people with dementia often have one or more accompanying conditions.
  • People living with dementia are also likely to have multiple conditions in comparison to people without dementia with 22% having 3 or more.


Left to Cope Alone (Alzheimer’s Society) June 2022

A person living with dementia is four times more likely to experience a fall. Dementia can change the way a person sees things, their walking pattern and how they feel about things. Other aspects of dementia such as memory, concentration and insight may also increase a person risk of falls.  Also, just like anyone else, a person can fall because of other health problems being poorly or generally feeling tired.

Keeping people living with dementia save from trips and falls, safe and well is a recording from South Yorkshire Dementia Action Alliance (SYDAA) which illustrates really well how things may seem different when living with dementia. A leaflet has been produced by SYDAA, in conjunction with the recording which nicely illustrates the changes in visual perception that may be key risks.  

This poster from SYDAA uses bullet points to explain why people living with dementia are more likely to experience trips and falls plus lists actions to consider.

The Memory Handbook produced by the Alzheimer's SocietyMan and woman sat on a sofa looking happily through a photo album contains information about memory problems, practical strategies and how to live well with them.  Chapter 4 (page 33) explains how people remember things in different ways and provides tips on different types of memory strategies.

Helpcards from the Alzheimer's Society can make it easier for a person to get support when they are out in the community.