Assessment of functional capacity and the risk of falls in the elderly with mild and moderate stage dementia

Anna Skubal
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Izabela Sudoł
Gabriela Ciąpała
Agnieszka Ćwirlej-Sozańska
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Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej
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Anna Wilmowska-Pietruszyńska
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Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Poland
Physiotherapy Student Scientific Club in Geriatrics and Health Prevention, Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Physiotherapy Student Scientific Club in Geriatrics and Health Prevention, Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Poland
Received: 10 October 2016 / Accepted: 5 December 2016 / Published: 30 December 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Dementia is a common problem among the elderly. Cognitive impairments may cause difficulty in performing basic activities of daily living. The deterioration of physical and / or mental capacity can lead to the necessity of institutional care over patients.

Aim: To assess functional capacity and the risk of falls in the elderly with mild and moderate dementia.

Material and Methods: The study group included 146 people aged 60-90 residing in the Residential Home as well as Care and Treatment Centre in the south-eastern Poland. Cognitive and functional capacity, balance, and the risk of falls were assessed using the following scales and clinical tests: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Time Up & Go test, Tinetti test, Berg Balance Scale.

Results: It has been demonstrated that individuals with dementia were characterized by reduced capacity in performing basic activities of daily living. More than half of the patients with mild and moderate dementia presented 5-times higher risk of falls than those without dementia. Moderate risk of falls was observed in 76.1% of patients with moderate dementia.

Conclusions: Cognitive impairments decrease the capacity to perform basic activities of daily living. The higher the stage of dementia, the worse the balance and the greater the risk of falling. It is necessary to develop simple rehabilitation programs allowing to maintain the highest possible level of functional capacity in the elderly patients with dementia under institutional care.

 

Cite

Skubal A, Sudoł I, Ciąpała G, et al. Assessment of functional capacity and the risk of falls in the elderly with mild and moderate stage dementia. Medical Review 2016; 14 (4): 427–438. doi: 10.15584/medrev.2016.4.6

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