Traumatic Brain Injury In the Elderly by Jane Thurnell-Read

Traumatic brain injury – or TBI for short – sounds scary but what exactly is TBI?

TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that affects how the brain normally works. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from mild (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to severe (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).

TBI’s are often caused by falls, but can also be as a result of a motor accident or an assault. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US adults age 75 years or older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalization and death.

TBI can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, or emotions.

• Thinking - memory and reasoning
• Sensation - touch, taste, and smell
• Language - communication, expression, and understanding
• Emotions - depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness

TBI can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.

These changes might appear right after the injury occurs, or they might not be noticed or appear until days or even weeks later. TBIs also are easily missed because the person often appears to be fine, but may act differently than usual.

Because the change does not necessarily occur immediately and because many of the symptoms, such as confusion and memory loss, can be mistakenly attributed to age-related deterioration. It is important for friends and relatives to be extra vigilant for several weeks after an elderly person has fallen or injured themselves in some way.

Dr. Ileana Arias, director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says: “Adults ages 75 and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and death, and they tend to recover more slowly or die more often from these injuries than do younger people.”

Fall prevention is the best way to combat TBI among older adults. Dr. Arias recommends the following to help prevent loved ones from falling.

Encourage your loved one to exercise, if their doctor agrees. Exercise improves balance and coordination, so it’s one of the best ways to reduce an older adult’s chance of falling.

Make their home and surroundings safer by making easy modifications, such as removing rugs, placing frequently used items within easy reach, and installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower or tub.

Ask their health care provider to review all medicines—both prescription and over-the-counter. The way some medicines work in the body can change as people age.

Take your loved one to have their vision checked. Poor vision can increase their chance of falling.

To learn more about the signs and symptoms of TBI and how to prevent, recognize, and respond to TBI in older adults, call CDC (USA) at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit: www.cdc.gov/BrainInjuryInSeniors. | Seniors Health | MultiVits For Over 50's