KAREN’S KORNER,
One of the large and growing health problems for senior adults today is unintentional injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Over 10,000 people in the US turn 65 every day. (Colby, Sandra, and Jennifer M. Ortman, ”Projections of the size and composition of the US population: 2014-2060”)
And, the number of these injuries will increase in seniors as their population continues to grow over the next few years.
“Unintentional injuries have traditionally been the 7th leading cause of death among senior adults ages 65 and over, according to the CDCP.
Two of the leading factors are falls and motor vehicle accidents. They combine to result in the majority of TBI-related (Traumatic brain injuries) hospitalizations according to reports.
Traumatic brain injuries have various symptoms. They include: Headache, Nausea or vomiting, fatigue or drowsiness, speech problems, or losing your balance. According to John Hopkins Medicine, “A TBI can occur when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that happen to the brain.”
The Cleveland Clinic offers some treatments that may be done for TBI depending on the severity:
- “Counseling for emotional support
- Surgery to treat bleeding in the brain or reducing the pressure from swelling
- Rehabilitation, including physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Rest
- Return to typical activities”
If you have fallen or have been involved in any accident where you have hit your head, even one you do not feel is serious, please seek medical help immediately. Time is a very important factor in recovery from a TBI.
Have a great day…Be Careful and Be Aware!
If you have questions, you may contact us at Webster Parish Council on Aging, at 318-371-3056.