Aging
Did You Know?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year as a result of TBI, 10,000 older adults (persons age 65 and older) die, 55,000 are hospitalized, and 80,000 visit the Emergency Department. An unknown number of older adults visit a private physician or do not seek care and may have an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury. Persons age 75 years and older have the highest rates of TBI hospitalization and death (261.0 per 100,000 and 50.0 per 100,000 respectively). The majority of traumatic brain injuries in older adults are caused by falls and motor vehicle crashes.1
Older persons are most likely to be discharged from the hospital to a nursing home. However, 60 percent of older adults who sustain a mild TBI are likely to return home, and 30-50 percent of older adults who sustain severe TBI are likely to return home. Family involvement, social support networks, and financial resources vary greatly among older patients. In general, older persons tend to have less support and personal resources than younger persons.2
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults.3 Increasing age, cognitive impairment, and alcohol intoxication have been identified as major risk factors for fall related traumatic brain injury in older adults. Medication side effects and adverse drug reactions have also been associated with an increased risk of falling.
1. Unpublished data from National Center for Health Statistics (NVSS, NHDS, NHAMCS): 1995-1998.
2. Goleburn, C. and Golden, C. Traumatic brain injury outcome in older adults: a critical review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Geropsychology. 2001; 7(3): 161-187.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: A Report to Congress. December 1999.
Products
NASHIA's Bibliography and References for Aging and TBI Issues
Traumatic Brain Injury Facts: TBI and Older Adults (Fact Sheet)
Traumatic Brain Injury Facts: TBI and Older Adults (tabloid Fact Sheet)
Resources
