People ages 75 and older have the highest rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) hospitalizations and deaths, and they also recover more slowly and die more often from these injuries than do younger people. So CAREgivers should know the signs of TBI and help clients take precautions to avoid falls.

 

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/BrainInjuryinSeniors/).  Preventing these falls can be as easy as rearranging or removing items in the home to eliminate trip hazards and make the environment safer.  In addition, according to CDC, older adults should have a doctor or pharmacist review all medications and supplements, as some over-the-counter drugs could cause dizziness or drowsiness that leads to a fall.

 

Persons suffering from a traumatic brain injury often seem to be function normally, and their symptoms may be subtle.  In mild cases, a person may have a low-grade headache that won’t go away; get lost or easily confused; experience loss of balance or feel light headed; lose sense of taste or smell; or experience ringing in the ears.

 

Symptoms of moderate or severe TBI may also include vomiting; seizures; slurred speech; loss of coordination; inability to wake from sleep; weakness or numbness in the arms or legs; and increased confusion.

 

The CDC has several publications available on its Web site (see link above) on how to help seniors live better and longer by preventing brain injuries.  It’s information that may prove valuable to anyone caring for seniors.

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