Early signs of Alzheimer’s cause five times higher risk of falling.
VO: PEOPLE WITH THE EARLIEST SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S HAVE FIVE TIMES HIGHER RISK OF FALLING THAN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS. I’M RISE JILL MILLER.
THE STUDY WAS REPORTED THIS WEEK AT THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PARIS.
RESEARCHERS AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN SAINT LOUIS STUDIED THE RATE OF FALLS AMONG MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED HEALTHY SENIORS. THOSE WHO FELL MORE OFTEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR AN ABNORMAL BRAIN PROTEIN CALLED AMYLOID, WHICH IS ASSOCIATED WITH ALZHEIMER’S.
DOCTOR BILL THIES, WITH THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION.
DR. T: Falls can lead to increased disability and death. They’re also expensive. Medical costs from falls are more than $19 billion a year. If you know an older person who suddenly seems prone to falling, you should take them to the doctor for a full evaluation, including for Alzheimer’s.
VO: DR. THIES ADDED THAT MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF MOTOR DEFICITS AND FALLS AS POSSIBLE EARLY SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT A-L-Z DOT ORG.
Leave a Reply