Research has shown that one specific injury can be a warning sign of dementia

Fall injuries can be an early warning sign dementia in older people.

That’s according to a new study published last month in JAMA Network Open.

“This study quantifies the diagnostic pattern that geriatricians and primary health care providers “We have noticed for a long time that falls often precede a diagnosis of dementia, and older adults who have experienced a fall should undergo cognitive screening,” co-author Molly P. Jarman, Ph.D., associate director of the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant professor surgery at Harvard Medical School, he told Fox News Digital.

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Boston researchers analyzed U.S. Medicare claims data for more than two million adults aged 66 and older who were diagnosed with: traumatic injury which resulted in a visit to the emergency department or admission to hospital in 2014–2015.

Half of the injuries were the result of falls.

Fall injuries may be an early warning sign of dementia in older people, according to a new study. (iStock)

The researchers also looked at follow-up data for at least a year after the injury, looking at how often participants were diagnosed with dementia.

Falls are the most common cause of injury in adults aged 65 and older.

Among patients who experienced a fall, 10.6% were diagnosed with some type of dementia within a year.

The study also analyzed data from older adults who were injured in an event other than a fall, such as: motor vehicle collision.

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“Among older adults with other types of injuries, only 6.1% were later diagnosed with dementia,” Jarman noted.

After taking into account variables that could potentially influence the results, such as demographics, injury severity and cause medical issues — patients with injuries resulting from falls had a 20% higher risk of dementia compared to patients with other types of injuries.

Do falls cause dementia?

Previous research shows that about one in 10 U.S. adults over the age of 65 has dementia.

One of the main limitations of the study is that it only looked at historical data – so it is unclear whether falls cause dementia or older adults who at risk of dementia According to researchers, the risk of falling is greater.

Previous research shows that about one in 10 U.S. adults over the age of 65 has dementia. (iStock)

“We believe the latter is most likely – older adults with mild cognitive impairment or undiagnosed dementia may be more likely to experience falls due to changes in gait and balance,” Jarman told Fox News Digital.

“The fall causes them to have more interaction with the health care system, which results in them being diagnosed with dementia.”

“When we hear chest pain, we should think about a heart attack, and when we hear a fall, we should think about the risk of dementia.”

Bow. Michael S. Okun, medical advisor to the Parkinson Foundation and director of the Fixel Institute for Neurological Disorders at the University of Florida, confirmed that when older adults begin to fall, it can be a potential warning sign.

He did not participate in the study.

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“When we hear chest pain, for example, we think heart attack — and similarly, when we hear a fall, we should think about the risk of dementia,” Okun told Fox News Digital.

“A good rule of thumb would be to start testing thinking skills as soon as possible for the occurrence of new lows.”

A paradigm shift

Doing this is not a routine practice cognitive screening tests in older people according to Jarman, who experience decline.

“We hope that the results of our study will encourage clinicians to monitor the cognitive health of older adults who fall,” she said.

Patients with falls injuries had a 20% increased risk of dementia compared to patients with other types of injuries. (iStock)

Jarman suggested that clinicians could begin screening during the first hospitalization after a fall, and a primary care physician or geriatrician could then conduct follow-up tests.

“The idea that an elderly person only needs physical therapy after a fall is wrong,” Okun added.

“We should teach people the importance of testing brain function in people who fall.”

4 steps to prevent falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury in adults aged 65 and older.

An older adult falls approximately every second of every day, and one in four people report falling every year, according to the same source.

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“Falls can lead to serious and even life-threatening injuries in older people,” Jarman warned.

To prevent falls, the CDC recommends an inspection to make sure your home is safe. (iStock)

“Patients who fall are at high risk of losing their independence.”

Most falls occur due to a combination of risk factors – and the more risk factors a person has, the greater the likelihood of falling, warns the CDC.

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The agency recommends four practices to prevent falls.

1. Analyze your risk

First, have an honest discussion with your doctor about your personal fall risk, the CDC recommends.

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This also includes a review of all medications if there is a risk that they may cause drowsiness or dizziness.

2. Get moving

Regular exercisesuch as Tai Chi, helps improve balance and strengthen legs to reduce the risk of falling.

Experts recommend asking your doctor which treatment regimen will be best for you.

3. Get medical help

The CDC recommends checking your eyes and feet annually and talking to your doctor about appropriate footwear.

Regular exercise helps improve your balance and strengthen your legs, which reduces the risk of falling. (iStock)

Some people may not have been diagnosed vision problemssuch as glaucoma or cataracts, which may increase the risk of falling, the same source said.

4. Conduct a home inspection

Finally, the agency recommends an inspection to make sure your home is safe.

This includes removing clutter, using double-sided tape to prevent rugs from slipping, placing items in cabinets that can be easily reached without a step stool, installing grab bars next to and inside bathtubs, and placing non-slip mats on shower floors.

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The CDC advises that people should also consider using night lights to guide them to the bathroom and provide adequate lighting throughout the home.