Falling Statistics
Falling is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury among the aging population. As the body physiologically declines with slower reflexes and muscle loss, it can be harder for older adults to prevent a trip and catch themselves before they fall. Falling is so common that it is estimated that one in three adults over the age of 60 and half of those over the age of 80 will experience a fall each year.
Furthermore, 3 million emergency room visits per year are due to falling. Individuals aged 75 and older are three times more likely to be hospitalized from a fall compared to those aged 65–74. Mortality rates from falls have also continued to rise; from 2007 to 2016, the number of fall-related deaths in the U.S. rose by 62%, totaling 29,666 lives.
This risk is further heightened in older adults living with dementia. People living with dementia may experience difficulties with judgment, sensory perception, mobility, coordination, and expressing their needs to others. As a result, individuals with dementia often face challenges living independently and typically reside with a caregiver.
Evaluating Concussion and Dementia Correlation in Veterans
Because falling is so common among older adults with dementia, researchers have closely examined the relationship between this neurodegenerative disease and concussions. Concussions are a mild form of traumatic brain injury that disrupt normal brain functioning. Common symptoms associated with concussions include headaches, sleep disruptions, memory difficulties, and mood changes.
To investigate the effects of concussions, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System examined 357,558 military veterans. Due to the dangerous nature of military service, concussions are quite common among veterans. In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs found that approximately 15–20% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan reported one or more traumatic brain injuries during their service.
In the study, researchers found that the likelihood of developing dementia after sustaining a concussion more than doubled. Specifically, for those who were concussed without a loss of consciousness, the chances of developing dementia were 2.36 times higher. If an individual lost consciousness, their risk factor rose to 2.51 times higher, and it was even more elevated for those with more severe traumatic brain injuries (3.77 times). In a separate study, older adults who lost consciousness were 28% more likely to report subjective memory impairment compared to those who did not experience a traumatic brain injury.
Scientists speculate that physical trauma makes the brain more susceptible to further injuries, accelerated aging, and the onset of neurodegeneration. If a person experiences repeated concussions, it is hypothesized that their risk of dementia increases due to a cumulative effect.
It is important to note that not everyone who experiences a concussion will develop dementia. Nevertheless, remaining aware of these connections is vital given the high comorbidity between the two. A single prior head injury is associated with a 1.25 times increased risk of dementia, and approximately 9.5% of all dementia cases are attributed to one or more previous head injuries.
Resources and Interventions
If you or a loved one are concerned about experiencing a concussion, it is best to establish a designated support person who can assist if a situation arises. It is always better to be safe when head injuries are involved.
If a fall occurs, move slowly and contact your primary care physician as soon as possible. Your doctor can determine whether you have experienced a mild, moderate, or severe form of traumatic brain injury and provide appropriate medical treatment. They typically evaluate the injury by discussing how it occurred, assessing consciousness and confusion levels, and examining sensory and cognitive functions. Neuropsychological tests are frequently utilized to gauge cognitive performance.
Depending on the severity of the injury, clinicians may conduct neuroimaging, such as a CT or MRI scan. If symptoms persist, medications like pain relievers may be prescribed to help manage the effects. Ultimately, remaining aware of your surroundings is crucial to preventing a second fall, as repeated falls continue to elevate cognitive risks.
Here are several resources available for those navigating a concussion:
- Concussion Alliance: provides a recovery guide post-injury
- Brain Injury Association of America (BIA): please contact 1-800-444-6443 to receive access to local support groups and community services
- Concussion and CTE Legacy Foundation: offers free peer support and vetted medical recommendations for persistent symptoms
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: describes what a traumatic brain injury is, offers resources, and links to clinical trials
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence: lists information on veterans’ brain health and injury; to speak to a representative, please contact [email protected]
- Brain Trauma Foundation: has a dedicated section for concussions, including a description of their clinical and field research
As ongoing research continues to analyze the relationship between dementia and concussions, please remember to prioritize your brain health and safety. Data demonstrates that the brain registers impacts across all severity levels, and even modest precautions can make a meaningful difference in protecting long-term cognitive health.
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