March is brain injury awareness month.  A brain injury can significantly impact an older adult’s ability to age in place.  Having a head injury can be a life altering experience for the individual and their family.  As an occupational therapist (OT) I’ve seen firsthand how lives change as a result of a head injury. Everyday tasks like getting dressed, brushing your teeth, and fixing breakfast can become much more challenging and complicated.  Family members may feel like their loved one has completely changed.  Depending on the type and location of the brain injury, the individual’s personalities, likes and dislikes, and attitudes may be completely different.  They may also seem to have poor safety awareness and be impulsive and impatient.

According to the CDC, 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year.  A TBI can be caused by a blow or jolt to the head or when something penetrates the brain.  A TBI can be mild, causing a shortened period of altered mental status or consciousness or it can be severe, causing extended periods of unconsciousness after the initial injury.    The CDC estimates that about 75% of TBIs that occur each year are the result of a concussion or some type of mild TBI.

Statistics on TBI

• TBIs occur most often in males
• Children aged 0-4, teens aged 15-19 and adults age 65 and older are most likely to sustain TBIs
• Adults over the age of 75 have the highest rates of TBI related hospitalizations and deaths
• Falls are the leading cause of TBIs
• In adults 65 and older, falls are the cause of an estimated 60.7% of TBIs

Knowing that falls are the most common cause of TBIs among seniors highlights the importance of fall prevention education and fall prevention programs.  The link between aging in place and fall prevention is clear.  Fall prevention education and fall prevention programs can truly help reduce the likelihood of falls.  This can reduce the likelihood of TBIs among seniors and helping them to age safely in place.  Click here to learn more about TBIs in seniors.

Source: CDC

Last week we discussed the need for a multidiscipline approach to fall prevention.  This week, we will be highlighting one fall prevention program, Life Assess.  The Life Assess program is offered by Holy Redeemer Home care, a home health agency that services individuals in southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  The program is for adults age 85 and older who have 4 specific syndromes, falls, depression, dementia, and urinary incontinence.  The goal of the program is to identify and treat these older individuals to help them remain at home safely and independently while at the same time preventing/delaying placement outside of the home such as a nursing home

As part of the assessment, the clinician who may include a nurse, physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), or speech therapist, assesses areas that include the individual’s home, mental status, medical issues, finances, and religious and cultural factors.  A fall risk assessment is also performed.   Clinicians teach and train the individuals and their family members/caregivers information based on assessment results.  They also help them identify possible safety issues in the home and help them problem solve and distribute educational information.  To learn more about the program, click here and here