There are many reasons why older adults are at risk of falling, including the effects of medications, slowed reaction times, brittle bones, stiffness, and lack of flexibility and impaired vision. Due to changes in the brain that are caused by Alzheimer's disease, people with Alzheimer's disease are at especially high risk of falling. Slower reaction time, difficulty recognizing changes in the height or depth of a step, for example, can lead to tripping and falling. Changes in balance and coordination combined with poor memory can make it difficult for a person with Alzheimer's to both get from one place to another and avoid hazardous objects at the same time. He may miss a step while looking for a door or trying to listen to someone's conversation. You can reduce the risk of falling by modifying the environment. You can also try to help the person in your care remain as active and flexible as possible. It is also important to provide appropriate footwear and review medications with his doctor. But if in spite of your efforts the person does fall, the following guidelines will help you to respond.

A person with AD, even in the early stages, probably will have subtle changes in walking ability that will become more severe as time goes on. This can create difficulty with balance. If the person has other illnesses, the problems may be more severe. It is natural that he will fear falling.

To help the person in your care feel more confident, adaptive devices such as walkers or canes can be useful, but you will have to remind him to use these devices. Bring the cane or walker to the person when he has forgotten it. Exercises that you can do with the person in your care may improve his balance. Remember, before starting any type of exercise routine, get advice from your physician. Start slowly with only moderate effort. Give the care receiver time to build strength and stamina. Any amount of exercise helps reduce risk, and the benefits of exercise are cumulative, so find a way to make it easy and enjoyable to exercise. Exercise is a particularly effective way to reduce depression.

And finally, everything said here about the benefits of exercise also apply to the caregiver. You need exercise as much as the person in your care. Find a way to make it part of most days.