Alzheimer's Is Making My Loved One Shuffle; How Can I Prevent Him From Tripping and Falling?

To reduce the chance that your loved one with Alzheimer's will fall due to a shuffling gait, take the following steps:

• Have the doctor evaluate his walk. A shuffling gait can be caused by problems other than Alzheimer's, some of which may respond to medication or other treatments.

• Get a balance and gait assessment. A short version of this can often be done during a primary care visit, but the more complete assessments are done by physical therapists (usually after a doctor's referral). The physical therapist may recommend a walker or cane, which the doctor can then prescribe. The therapist can also recommend appropriate balance and strengthening exercises.

• Review your loved one's medications with the doctor, and ask for help in identifying which drugs can increase fall risk. You should especially ask about medications for blood pressure, depression, pain, overactive bladder, sleeping problems, and antipsychotics, which are often prescribed to people with dementia. Once the doctor has helped you identify medications that increase fall risk, you can discuss whether the medication is absolutely necessary or whether a lower dose might be effective.

• Make sure that, both at home or outside, your loved one wears shoes that fit well and have nonslip soles.

• Keep your loved one's home free of loose rugs and floor clutter, to reduce the chance of tripping or slipping.

Remember that although there are many ways to reduce the chance of falling, it's not usually possible to guarantee that a person won't fall at all. When it comes to falls and dementia, families often end up facing difficult trade-offs between safety and independence. Still, asking the doctor to help you with the steps above should help lessen the chance of a bad fall.

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