Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Among the Geriatric Population

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an unfortunately common occurrence in the elderly. With the growing population of older adults in the United States and globally, strategies that reduce the risk of becoming injured need to be developed, and diagnostic tools and treatments that may benefit this group need to be explored. Particular attention needs to be given to polypharmacy, drug interactions, the use of anticoagulants, safety issues in the living environment, elder abuse, and alcohol consumption. Low-mechanism falls should prompt health care providers to consider the possibility of head injury in elderly patients. Early and tailored management of our seniors following a mild TBI can provide them with the best possible quality of life. This review will discuss the current literature on mild TBI in the older adult, address gaps in research, and discuss the implications for future care of the older TBI patient.