Relationship between Cognitive Impairment Experience and Falls in Elderly Aged 65 and Over

Objectives: This study analyzed the relationship between cognitive impairment (CI) and falls among the elderly in Korea. The findings aim to serve as foundational data for developing health intervention programs to manage cognitive decline and prevent falls. Method: To examine variables related to CI, raw data from the 2019 Community Health Survey were analyzed. The total number of study participants was 13,879. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Results: The risk of falling was 1.47 times higher among both men and women with CI. Among those with CI and difficulty in daily life, men had a 1.34 times higher risk of falling, and women had a 1.33 times higher risk. Men and women who required assistance due to CI had a 1.35 times higher risk. Those who had received counseling related to CI showed a 1.45 times higher fall risk in men and a 1.47 times higher risk in women. Conclusion: Fall prevention policies for elderly individuals with CI should go beyond simple physical interventions. A multidimensional approach including cognitive, emotional, and social support should be considered to effectively reduce fall risk.