[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/06\/concussions-in-the-elderly\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/06\/concussions-in-the-elderly\/","headline":"Concussions in The Elderly","name":"Concussions in The Elderly","description":"Learn the importance of understanding the frequency and risks of concussions in older adults.","datePublished":"2018-06-18","dateModified":"2022-10-27","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/older-woman_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/older-woman_blg.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/06\/concussions-in-the-elderly\/","about":["Concussion","Health Topics A-Z","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":395,"keywords":["concussion","concussion 101","concussion elderly","concussion symptoms elderly","concussion treatment"],"articleBody":"Most people know about concussions in athletes, active children and young adults. But concussions aren\u2019t limited by age or physical activity. Increasingly, older adults are being diagnosed with concussions and other brain injuries \u2014 typically due to falls.Often, those head injuries are overlooked in the elderly. The medical community is only beginning to recognize the frequency of concussions in older adults.Need for Concussion TreatmentGetting the right treatment is key to recovery and preventing further injury and decline in function. Too often, important concussion symptoms are missed because they are incorrectly considered part of other concerns, including dementia, depression, or “normal” aging. Concussion symptoms in older adults can include:DizzinessBalance issuesMemory problemsAnxietyWithout proper care, those concussion symptoms may cause older adults \u2014 even those who with active, vibrant lifestyles \u2014 to \u201chide away,\u201d which can lead to isolation and a sharp decrease in social and physical activity. Lack of concussion treatment can cause quality of life to decline.Return to Normalcy After Concussion InjuryThe goal of concussion treatment for an older adult is similar to that of a young athlete \u2014 to return the patient to the activity level they had prior to their injury.Elderly patients receive the same level of high quality, skilled and multidimensional care as elite athletes in the Sports Concussion Program. Treatment plans are tailored to each person\u2019s unique needs and concussion symptoms.For example, vestibular therapy helps with balance issues, motion sensitivity, dizziness, and difficulty reading, while cognitive rehabilitation addresses memory and concentration problems. Doctors often partner with the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation when medications are needed to address symptoms or manage an injury. Likewise, physical therapies are tailored to help older adults rebuild their physical confidence, fitness, and stamina.Concussion Symptoms in the ElderlyConcussion symptoms are not always obvious. Some older adults might experience dizziness when they go to the grocery store or shopping mall where it\u2019s active and noisy. Others may feel foggy, or extremely tired and run down.Common symptoms in the elderly include:\u2022 Headache.\u2022 Dizziness.\u2022 Nausea.\u2022 Balance problems.\u2022 Fogginess, or difficulty concentrating.\u2022 Memory problems.\u2022 Sensitivity to light or noise.\u2022 Mood swings.\u2022 Anxiety.\u2022 Depression.\u2022 Sleep problems.Older adults experiencing such symptoms should talk to their primary care doctor about a possible concussion.Editor's Note: This video was originally published on June 18, 2018, and was last reviewed on June 7, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Concussions in The Elderly","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/06\/concussions-in-the-elderly\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]