March is Brain Injury Awareness month and now is the time for seniors and their families to learn more about brain injuries. Brain injuries are much more common in seniors than people think. Often when seniors fall at home they experience a brain injury.
The symptoms of a brain injury can last for months or even years. After a fall seniors should have home care to help them with household tasks. A home care provider will be able to write down any changes that they notice in a senior’s behavior or symptoms of a brain injury that they see.
Everyone experiences different symptoms after a brain injury. Sometimes the symptoms of a brain injury can be confused with the symptoms of dementia. That’s why it’s important for seniors to have a full medical screening if they start to experience any of these symptoms of a brain injury:
Physical Symptoms
There are a side range of physical symptoms that can be caused by a head injury including:
- Headaches: Persistent or severe headaches can indicate a brain injury, especially if they worsen over time.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Seniors may experience nausea and vomiting following a brain injury, which can be accompanied by dizziness or vertigo.
- Fatigue: Excessive fatigue or drowsiness that persists despite adequate rest might be a sign of a brain injury.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or sleeping more than usual, can occur after a brain injury.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms are very common after a head injury. But, these symptoms are concerning to seniors and their families because they mimic the symptoms of dementia. A head injury can make seniors more likely to develop dementia. Cognitive symptoms to watch out for after a head injury are:
- Confusion: Seniors may appear disoriented, have difficulty concentrating, or seem generally confused about their surroundings or circumstances.
- Memory Problems: Forgetfulness or difficulty recalling recent events or information can be indicative of a brain injury.
- Difficulty with Problem-Solving: Seniors may struggle with decision-making, planning, or organizing tasks.
- Slowed Thinking: Processing information and responding to stimuli may become slower than usual.
Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms
If your senior parent has a fall and when they return home they aren’t acting like themselves those emotional and behavioral changes could be symptoms of a head injury. Emotional changes seniors experience can include:
- Mood Swings: Sudden changes in mood, including irritability, agitation, or unexplained bouts of sadness, can occur after a brain injury.
- Depression and Anxiety: Seniors may experience feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, or a loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
- Increased Emotional Sensitivity: Emotional reactions may be heightened, leading to exaggerated responses to stimuli.
- Impulsivity: Some seniors may exhibit impulsive behavior or poor judgment, engaging in actions without considering the consequences.
- Loss of Empathy: Seniors may struggle to understand or empathize with the emotions of others, displaying reduced social awareness.
Sensory Symptoms
Damage to the brain can also cause a change in how the senses work and cause symptoms like:
- Vision Problems: Blurred vision, double vision, or difficulty focusing the eyes may occur after a brain injury.
- Ringing in the Ears: Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can develop or worsen following a head injury.
- Changes in Taste or Smell: Alterations in the perception of taste or smell may occur, affecting appetite and enjoyment of food.
Motor Symptoms
Seniors can also experience motor related symptoms such as:
- Weakness or Paralysis: Loss of strength or coordination in the limbs, or paralysis on one side of the body, can indicate damage to the brain.
- Tremors or Seizures: Involuntary movements, tremors, or seizures may occur after a brain injury, especially if there is damage to specific areas of the brain.
- Difficulty Speaking or Understanding Speech: Seniors may have trouble forming words, slurred speech, or difficulty understanding spoken language.
Source: Source 1
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