FALL-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AND BEHAVIOUR DISTURBANCES IN DEMENTIA

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Falls are a significant concern for individuals with dementia, impacting their quality of life and increasing healthcare costs.
• Understanding the relationship between daily living activities, behavioral disturbances, and fall risk is crucial for effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between activities of daily living (ADL) and behavioral disturbances in dementia patients who have experienced falls.
• To identify specific factors that predict fall occurrence in an inpatient and outpatient dementia population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 325 dementia patients from 18 facilities.
• Data collected included fall history, Barthel Index (B.I) for ADL, and Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale (DBD) for behavioral disturbances.
• Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of falls.

Main Results:

• Making unwarranted accusations (DBD) was associated with an increased odds of falling (OR = 1.445).
• Refusing to eat (DBD) showed a decreased odds of falling (OR = 0.699), while ability to feed oneself (B.I) increased fall odds (OR = 1.115).
• Assistance with bathing (B.I) was associated with decreased fall odds (OR = 0.782).

Conclusions:

• Dementia patients who fall are characterized by making unwarranted accusations and requiring assistance with bathing.
• Conversely, a low rate of refusing to eat and the ability to feed oneself independently are also associated with falls.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay of behavioral and functional factors in dementia-related falls.