Traumatic Brain Injuries in Seniors

Brain injuries are often overlooked in seniors. A fall can sometimes create injuries such as a broken hip, but if you hit your head during the fall, that too can be a serious injury. Signs and symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury are often overlooked in senior citizens and misidentified as “confusion”, frustration or just "old age".

Every year, 1 out of 3 adults over the age of 65 experience a fall. Over 85% of traumatic brain injuries in adults over the age of 65 are caused by falls. People who have fallen once are likely to fall again.

If you are on a medication called a "blood thinner" it is very important to be seen by a doctor if you fall and hit your head, as this type of medication can make bleeding in the brain worse.

Seniors can take precautions by fall-proofing their homes. Examples of fall-proofing include moving clutter and moving cords. Learning how to balance before taking a step can help avoid a sudden fall.

Download our Preventing Falls and Traumatic Brain Injury brochure to help and educate a loved one on how to prevent falls and stay independent. To find more resources for avoiding falls for seniors visit our trauma prevention page or Minnesota Falls.

Return to the Traumatic Brain Injury Center page, the Traumatic Brain Injury Outpatient Program page, the Knapp Rehabilitation page or the Pediatric Brain Injury Program page.