No abstract

Cognitive performance is associated with falling over 8 years in very old adults and should be assessed in clinical practice when evaluating short- and long-term fall risk.

A population-based sample (N = 787) was followed for 8 years and assessed three times on measures of well-being (depressive symptoms, morale, and control) and fall history. Marginal models assessed the association between baseline well-being measures and falling. Random effects models assessed change in well-being indicators as well as change in fall rate over 8 years. After adjustment for sociodemographics, psychotropic medication, health, and sensorimotor function, our results showed that depressive symptoms, control, and morale were risk factors for subsequent falling, and an increase in depressive symptoms or a reduction in morale was associated with an increasing fall rate. We conclude that the three well-being measures are independently associated with falling and need to be considered in fall-risk assessments and population-based prevention and intervention strategies.

An association between alcohol consumption and brain atrophy is evident at the population level. In women, detrimental effects of alcohol on the brain appear to occur at lower levels of consumption. It remains possible that low levels of alcohol consumption have neuroprotective benefits but is clear that high levels of consumption are detrimental.