Nearly eight thousand seniors who fell and banged their heads died from brain injury in 2005. Another fifty-six-thousand had to be treated in hospitals for brain injuries sustained from a fall. “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,” said Dr. Ileana Arias, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. However, we are starting to see that the bigger issue is the damage being done to their brains – how they think and their ability to function.
Each year, one in three Americans over the age of sixty-five falls. Some suggestions for older adults, their caregivers, health care providers, and communities to help prevent these types of falls include:
-Reducing floor clutter
-Providing better lighting
-Regular exercise to maintain strength and balance
-Walking with a cane or walking aid of some kind when outside
These precautions will help to hopefully bring these statistics down and help keep our seniors safe.
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