By far, the leading cause of death among seniors (65 years +) is falls. In 2006, there were 16,650 fall-related deaths or 37% of all deaths among the elderly. The next leading cause was motor vehicle accidents at only 15% of all deaths.

Falls lead to more injuries than death

Of course, not all falls lead to death. They can also lead to injury. In 2007, 3,134,935 seniors experienced an injury. Most seniors were injured by a fall: 1,927,766 seniors or about 62% of all senior injuries. In comparison, the next leading cause is being unintentionally struck by someone caused only 7% of senior injuries.

So it's clear that falling is responsible for more deaths and injuries than any other cause.

1/4 of fall injuries lead to hospitalization

Now, just one more statistic. Most injured seniors are treated and released from the emergency departments of hospitals. However, 444,328 seniors or 23% were hospitalized after being admitted to emergency. So falls are important and serious to seniors.

The number one injury

So just what is the number one injury sustained by seniors? It's TBI or traumatic brain injury. TBI or head injury is damage to the brain caused by an external mechanical force, such as rapid acceleration or deceleration, impact, blast waves, or penetration by a object. Brain function is impaired, either temporarily or permanently, and there is damage to the brain's structure. This damage may or may not be detectable using technology.

Head injury classification

Head injuries can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Most TBIs are mild. They don't usually cause long-term disability. That said, permanent disability is thought to occur in 10% of mild TBIs, according to the journal "Brain Injury". The number rises to 66% for moderate TBIs, and 100% for severe TBIs.

What are the signs and symptoms of TBI?

Symptoms of mild TBI

• Low-grade headache that won?t go away
• Having more trouble than usual remembering things, paying attention or concentrating, organizing daily tasks, or making decisions and solving problems
• Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
• Getting lost or easily confused
• Feeling tired all of the time, lack of energy or motivation
• Change in sleep pattern — sleeping much longer than before, having trouble sleeping
• Loss of balance, feeling light-headed or dizzy
• Increased sensitivity to sounds, lights, distractions
• Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Ringing in the ears
• Change in sexual drive
• Mood changes like feeling sad, anxious, or listless, or becoming easily irritated or angry for little or no reason

Symptoms of moderate and severe TBI

Includes mild symptons listed above and may also include:

• A headache that gets worse or does not go away
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Inability to wake up from sleep
• Dilation of one or both pupils
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
• Loss of coordination
• Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation

How to prevent Traumatic Brain Injury

There are four ways to effectively prevent Traumatic Brain Injury:

Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce chances of falling among seniors. Exercises that improve balance and coordination, like Tai Chi, are most helpful. Check with a doctor about which exercises are safest and best.

Make the home safer

• Remove things from stairs and floors that might cause tripping
• Add brighter lighting and reduce glare by using lampshades and frosted bulbs
• Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep rugs from slipping
• Install handrails and lights on all staircases
• Place items used often within easy reach; avoid using a step stool
• Wear shoes that give good support and have thin, non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers and socks or going shoeless
• Install grab bars beside the toilet and in the tub or shower
• Place non-stick mats in the bathtub and on shower floors
• Consider using a walk-in bathtub instead of a traditional bathtub

Review all medicines

Ask the doctor or local pharmacist to look at all prescription medicines, as well as non-prescription drugs like cold medicines and supplements. As people age, the way some medicines work in the body can change. This could cause a person to feel drowsy or lightheaded, which could lead to a fall.

Check vision

Ensure an eye doctor checks that eye glasses are correct and no conditions like cataracts or glaucoma limit visions. Poor vision increases the chance of falling.

For more information

Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) toll-free at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/BrainInjuryInSeniors.

Adapted in part from Brain Injury in Seniors.

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