10 research outputs found
Description of spatio-temporal gait parameters in elderly people and their association with history of falls: results of the population-based cross-sectional KORA-Age study
What are the Main Physical Functioning Factors Associated With Falls Among Older People With Different Perceived Fall Risk?
Factors associated with recognition and prioritization for falling, and the effect on fall incidence in community dwelling older adults
Consensus-based clinical practice recommendations for the examination and management of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease
Direct effects of physical training on markers of bone metabolism and serum sclerostin concentrations in older adults with low bone mass
Integrating research into clinical practice for hip fracture rehabilitation: Implementation of a pragmatic RCT
Recovery of physical function after hip fracture: Analysis of secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial
MOBIlity assessment with modern TEChnology in older patients’ real-life by the General Practitioner: the MOBITEC-GP study protocol
Management of Gait Changes and Fall Risk in MCI and Dementia
Gait disorders and falls are very prevalent in aging, especially in older adults with cognitive impairment: older adults with dementia are 2-3 times more likely to fall than their non-demented counterparts. The management of gait disorders and falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia begins by their identification with the use of specific screening tools, such as measuring gait speed, use of dual-task gait tests, or diagnosing motoric cognitive risk syndrome, a newly described pre-dementia syndrome. This clinical approach is useful to reveal subtle gait changes that may lead to an increased risk of falls in older adults. Various non-pharmacological interventions have been tested in older adults with MCI or dementia to reduce risk of falls. Physical activity interventions are feasible in older adults with cognitive impairments, and may improve gait, and thereby decrease risk of falls. Besides non-pharmacological interventions, identification and removal of potentially inappropriate medications (i.e., psychotropic drugs) is part of a comprehensive falls management strategy in older patients. The use of anti-dementia drugs, such as cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine, may help to improve gait in demented older adults. Adopting a multidisciplinary care strategy that integrates general practitioners, geriatricians, neurologists, cardiologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to identify older adults at increased risk of falling or with subtle gait changes, prior to applying individualized non-pharmacological and/or pharmacological interventions, is essential to reduce the burden of gait disorders and falls in older adults with cognitive impairment