WHERE IS THE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION FOR FALLS IN CANADIANS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA?  

AUTHOR(S) & CREDENTIALS: Erica Dove, MSc, PhD candidate, and Cassy Hemphill, Communications and Engagement Coordinator   

AFFILIATED INSTITUTION(S): Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, and AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub: APPTA, AGE-WELL NCE.  

Erica Dove is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Canadians living with dementia and other aging-related conditions, such as mobility impairments. With a career spanning nearly a decade, Erica has been fortunate to interact with and learn from older adults with dementia, which has fueled her passion for co-creating innovative solutions tailored to their unique needs. 

Erica’s inspiration for her current project stemmed from the following observation: older adults with dementia are at least twice as likely to fall compared to those without dementia. This high fall rate imposes significant costs on the Canadian healthcare system, particularly hospitals. Existing community programs for older adults often employ a one-size-fits-all (or ‘universal’) approach and do not address the unique needs of older adults with dementia, such as modifying exercises to be physically challenging and cognitively accessible.  

To tackle this issue, Erica led a policy initiative urging practitioners to automatically refer older adults with dementia to specialized physical services and programs upon diagnosis. These tailored programs focus on fall prevention, risk reduction, and rehabilitation, addressing both the physical and cognitive aspects of dementia. By doing so, Erica aims to reduce fall-related incidents and associated healthcare costs. 

The significance of Erica’s research is emphasized by the financial impact dementia has on the Canadian healthcare system. Caring for older adults with dementia costs at least $10.4 billion CAD annually, with falls contributing substantially to these expenses. By reducing fall rates through tailored interventions, these costs can be lessened, and resources can be redirected towards developing, implementing, and evaluating inclusive and accessible fall prevention and rehabilitation programs. 

Erica highlights a critical gap in current healthcare guidelines and policies. While fall prevention guidelines exist for conditions like osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease, as well as for healthy older adults, they do not cater to the unique cognitive needs of older adults with dementia. This oversight leads to inaccessibility and exclusion from potentially beneficial programs and services. 

Erica Dove’s work is essential for creating a more inclusive healthcare system that addresses the unique challenges faced by older adults with dementia. Through her dedication and innovative approach, Erica is paving the way for a future where tailored interventions improve outcomes for Canadians with dementia, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and enhancing overall well-being. 

Click here to read Erica Dove’s Policy Brief!