Admitting seniors who have some form of cognitive impairment could expose skilled nursing facilities to more resident falls during their stay, according to a new study. A University of Texas-led research team found that seniors experiencing a decline in their brain function are more likely to experience a fall in a SNF compared to residents who were cognitively unimpaired. Residents with mild, moderate and severe cognitive impairment were associated with 1.72%, 2.72% and 2.61% higher odds, respectively, of experiencing a fall during a SNF stay. â[Activities of daily living] limitations and impaired balance are risk factors for falls but may not contribute to the increased fall risk for SNF residents with cognitive impairment,â concluded authors Brian Downer, Ph.D., Huey-Ming Tzeng, Ph.D., RN, Allen Haas and Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, Ph.D.