Postural control in older adults with cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for falls and for significant injury than cognitively intact older adults. The cause of falls in older adults is multifactorial, and there appears to be additional contributing factors to falls in older adults with cognitive dysfunction. This paper presents a review of the literature on falls in older adults with cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this paper is to identify changes in the postural control mechanisms of older adults with cognitive dysfunction that may contribute to the increased risk of falls noted with this population. By developing a better understanding of the particular physical, physiological and perceptual changes that occur in older adults with dementia, healthcare providers may be better able to address the special needs of this population, thus hopefully minimising injury and mortality that may occur as a result of falling.

Keywords:

• ALZHEIMER DISEASE
• COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION
• DEMENTIA
• FALLS
• POSTURAL CONTROL