Brain Injury Another Result of Falls in Seniors

< June 25, 2008 > -- A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to falls caused nearly 8,000 deaths and 56,000 hospitalizations in 2005 among Americans age 65 and older.

According to the study, TBIs accounted for 50 percent of all unintentional fall deaths and 8 percent of nonfatal fall-related hospitalizations among older adults.

The report was published in the Journal of Safety Research.

More than Hips Injured When Seniors Fall

Falls are not an inevitable consequence of aging, but they do occur more often among older adults because risk factors for falls are usually associated with health and aging conditions. 

Some of these conditions include mobility problems due to muscle weakness or poor balance, loss of sensation in the feet, chronic health conditions, vision changes or loss, medication side effects or drug interactions, and home and environmental hazards such as clutter or poor lighting.

“Most people think older adults may only break their hip when they fall, but our research shows that traumatic brain injuries can also be a serious consequence,” says Dr. Ileana Arias, director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.  “These injuries can cause long-term problems and affect how someone thinks or functions.  They can also impact a person’s emotional well-being.”

Each year, one in three older Americans (65 and older) falls, and 30 percent of falls cause injuries requiring medical treatment. In 2005, nearly 16,000 older adults died from falls, 1.8 million older adults were treated in emergency departments, and 433,000 of these patients were hospitalized. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and nonfatal injuries for those 65 and over.

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a bump or blow to the head; however, they may be missed or misdiagnosed among older adults. TBI often results in long-term cognitive, emotional, and/or functional impairments.

Nation-Wide Data Used

This new study analyzed 2005 data from the National Center for Health Statistics’ National Vital Statistics System and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Key findings are:

• Death rates for fall-related TBIs were higher among men than women (26.9 per 100,000 and 17.8 per 100,000, respectively).
• Rates for fall-related TBI hospitalizations were similar among men and women (146.3 per 100,000 and 158.3 per 100,000, respectively).
• Death and hospitalization rates for fall-related TBIs generally increased with age.

Additional findings included:

• The majority of men and women hospitalized with a fall-related TBI spent two to six days in the hospital (54.9 percent of men; 61.5 percent of women).
• The median total charges for these hospitalizations were $19,191 for men and $16,006 for women.

As Baby Boomers Age, More Falls Will Occur

As more baby boomers reach retirement age, these types of injuries will increase demands on the health care system unless action is taken to prevent the injuries. “CDC has developed tips and suggestions for older adults, their caregivers, health care providers, and communities to help prevent falls,” Dr. Arias says.

For older adults, their children, caregivers, and health care providers, CDC recently developed the "Help Seniors Live Better, Longer: Prevent Brain Injury" initiative. Developed in collaboration with 26 organizations, it features easy-to-use English- and Spanish-language materials in a concise question-and-answer format to help prevent, recognize, and respond to TBI.

Always consult your physician for more information.

About Elder Care:

Americans are living longer and living well for longer periods of time. This has created a relatively new and growing area of health care and provider services, known as elder care.

Elder care encompasses a wide variety of issues, including choosing an appropriate physician to care for an aging patient, and making decisions about moving an elderly person from the home environment to a residential care setting.

Persons age 65 and older are the fastest growing segment of America's population. Many elderly people are living healthy, active, and independent lives. However, as more people reach their 80s and 90s, the number of elderly needing assistance with daily living increases, along with the responsibilities of those who provide care for them.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging:

• The older population (persons 65 years or older) numbered more than 36.3 million, or one in eight, Americans in recent reports.
• The number of older Americans, age 65 and over, is projected to increase from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010 and then to 55 million in 2020.
• Today, persons who reach age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.5 years (19.8 years for women and 16.8 years for men) than what was estimated in 1900.
• In 1900, the average life expectancy was 49.2 years. Today, it is 77.9 years.

Choosing the right physician:

Different stages in life can require different health care providers. For the elderly, it is important to have a personal physician, or primary care physician, who understands the special needs of older patients.

Many types of physicians, including family practitioners, internists, and geriatricians, care for elderly patients. A family practitioner provides health care to all family members, regardless of age. An internist specializes in internal medicine generally for adults. A geriatrician is specially trained in elder care.

Choosing the right primary care physician is an important decision. Generally, you want a physician who is competent and well trained, and cares for and about the patient.

Always consult your physician for more information.