Steps You Can Take to Lower the Risk of a Traumatic Brain Injury
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about one of every three traumatic brain injuries in the United States involves a person over the age of 75. The vast majority of those injuries are caused by falls. There are, however, a number of strategies that can help your older family members reduce the risk of a traumatic brain injury.
Making Your Older Family Member’s Life More Fall-Proof
There are a wide range of simple measures you can put in place to alleviate the risk that your older family member will suffer a head injury in a fall:
- Start by having your family member submit to a thorough balance/fall assessment from a doctor or physical therapist.
- Identify any medications your loved one is taking and clarify whether they have the potential to cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Make certain your loved one has regular eye exams.
- Take steps to reduce the risks of falling in the home.
- Install handrails or grab bars in kitchens and bathrooms, and make certain they are secure.
- Check all flooring for loose or broken tile or floorboards, torn carpet or linoleum, or other trip hazards.
- Make certain all areas of the home have adequate lighting.
- If possible, either remove area rugs or secure them with double-sided tape.
- Don’t have cords or wires on pathways through the home.
- Make certain there are clear pathways around furniture.
- Install night lights throughout the home, so that your loved one can see if they need to get up in the night.
- Have non-slip mats or strips in the bathtub and shower and on bathroom floors.
Contact Core Medical Center Today
At Core Medical Center, with offices in Blue Springs, Missouri, we have extensive experience helping people who suffer any type of concussion or other traumatic brain injury. We have the tools and resources to accurately assess your condition and either prescribe a regimen of treatment or refer you to a specialist, if necessary. Contact us online or call our offices at (819)229-1941 to schedule an appointment.
