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.
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.
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 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.
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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.
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