Concussions & Aging: What Older Adults Need to Know
A slip on the stairs or a wet sidewalk. A bump into an open cabinet door. A low-speed fender-bender in the grocery store parking lot. For older adults, these everyday accidents might seem minor, but when a head injury is involved, the effects can be anything but.
While the focus of concussion awareness and treatment often focuses more on younger adults and athletes, it’s older adults, particularly those 65 and older, who are at the highest risk for severe outcomes following a concussion. And, the consequences of concussions can be more severe and complex, and can also last longer than people realize.
Below, we’re unpacking why older adults are at higher risk for concussions, why they might hit harder when they happen, and what seniors and their families or caregivers can do to continue to keep their heads safe.
Why Older Adults Are at Higher Risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the #1 cause of traumatic brain injuries for adults aged 65 and older. And it makes sense: as we age, changes in balance, vision, muscle strength, and reflexes all contribute to a higher likelihood of falling. Many older adults also take medications, such as blood thinners or sedatives, that increase both the risk of falling and the danger of brain bleeding if a concussion does occur.
There’s potentially another layer beyond the physical risk, however, for older adults. If they live alone or don’t have family or friends close by, there might not be anyone to tell. It’s that silence, combined with the subtle nature of some concussion symptoms, that causes many brain injuries to go unrecognized and therefore untreated.
Why Concussion Recovery is Harder for Older Adults
Not only are concussion risks higher in older adults, but the recovery from a concussion can also be more difficult. Even in healthy people, the brain ages over time. As we age, our brain tissue becomes less adaptable and less able to repair after injury. And, if an older adult has a preexisting condition such as memory loss, cognitive impairment, or balance challenges, those can complicate both concussion diagnosis and healing.
A senior might become more confused, struggle to remember names, or experience personality shifts. Without knowing a head injury occurred, it’s easy to assume that these changes are just a part of getting older.
There’s also the fact that when someone has experienced one fall, they’re more likely to fall again, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). For this reason, falls among older adults should be managed in much the same way a chronic illness would—including screening for falls, conducting assessments and interventions that focus on the risk factors older adults have, and addressing those risk factors to prevent further falls.
The Emotional Toll: Losing Confidence, Connection, and Independence
Beyond the physical effects, concussions can have a deep emotional and social impact on older adults. After a fall or injury, it’s common to feel anxious or fearful about it happening again. Some people withdraw from activities they once enjoyed. Others lose confidence in their mobility or decision-making.
NCOA emphasizes that many older adults fear that if they fall, they may lose their ability to live independently. This fear often leads to limiting activity, though doing less can actually increase the risk of future falls. Remaining active and engaged is essential to both physical safety and emotional well-being.
What to Watch For: Common Symptoms in Seniors
While every concussion is different, here are some of the more common signs to look for in older adults:
- Sudden confusion or memory problems
- Unexplained fatigue or sleep changes
- Dizziness, balance issues, or blurred vision
- New headaches or increased head pressure
- Personality changes or mood swings
- Trouble speaking, concentrating, or following a conversation
As with all concussions, symptoms can be subtle and may not appear right away. If you or someone you love has fallen and hit their head, get it checked out, even if it seems minor.
Symptoms can be subtle and may not appear right away. If you or someone you love has taken a fall or hit their head—even if it seemed minor—talk to a doctor.
Prevention Starts at Home
The good news is that there’s a lot we can do to help ourselves—and the older adults in our lives—reduce their risk of falls. Here are a few actions that can be taken, according to the NCOA:
- Discuss medication adjustments: Have conversations with your primary care doctor about your medications and whether they might lead to dizziness or cognitive issues.
- Fall-proof your home: Actions like rearranging furniture to remove any potential hazards, improving lighting in your house, adding grab bars or rails where needed, making sure there are non-slip bath mats in showers and tubs, and ensuring stairs are visible by adding a piece of painter’s tape or something similar to each step are all great ways to reduce the risk of falling in your home.
- Get regular exercise: Strength, flexibility, and balance are all elements of your health that can be improved, and the best way to do that is through consistent exercise and movement.
- Go in for regular checkups: Vision and hearing changes can creep up and throw off your balance, so make it a point to see your doctor more regularly as you age—even if nothing seems to be wrong.
- Don’t be afraid to use walking aids: There’s often a stigma or a hesitancy in using walking aids like a cane or a walker, but they’re also a great way to maintain your independence and regain your strength and balance.
Take Concussions Seriously—At All Ages
A concussion at 65 years old isn’t the same as a concussion at 25. The risks are higher, the symptoms are more complex, and the recovery can be more delicate. But with the right information, support, and follow-up care, healing is possible.
If you’re a senior, listen closely to what your body is telling you after a fall, a bump, or any head impact. If you care for an older adult, pay attention to changes, ask questions, and if something seems wrong, don’t brush it off.
Your brain matters at every stage of life.