Anyone, at any age, who experiences even a minor bump to the head from an accident or fall can suffer a concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury that is a serious medical condition that can effect the way the brain works.
A person with a concussion needs to see a medical professional for evaluation and treatment.
Concussion Signs and Symptoms
If you experience the following signs after a blow to the head, seek medical attention and immediate medical treatment:
• Headache that worsens and does not go away
• Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
• Repeated vomiting or on-going nausea
• Slurred speech
• Marked drowsiness or difficulty awakening
• One pupil in eye is larger than the other
• Convulsions or seizures
• Cannot recognize people or places
• Increased confusion, restlessness or agitation
• Experiencing unusual behavior
• Any loss of consciousness, even a brief loss.
Seniors and their loved ones should take steps to ensure the senior’s home is safe from fall risks. A safety check of the entire home is recommended to identify and correct issues such as inadequate lighting and tripping hazards that could cause an older adult to fall.
Also, create a profile of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs taken and have the senior’s physician or pharmacist review it to identify any possible interactions and to clarify dosage instructions to help eliminate fall risks caused by medication side effects.