The Facts:
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Falls
are the leading cause of TBI.
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People
75 years of age and older have the highest rates of
TBI-related hospitalizations and death.
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Family
members and other caregivers of older adults can help
protect their loved ones’ health and independence by:
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Reducing their risk for falls
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Recognizing signs of TBI after a fall occurs; and
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Taking
the appropriate steps when signs of TBI are observed.
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View
CDC Study on TBI among Older Adults.
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Podcast |
Preventing Falls and TBI |
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Millions of people in this country provide care for an older adult—a parent, grandparent, other family member, professional caregiver, or a close friend. For most caregivers, the older adult’s health is the overriding concern. One way
to help older adults live, better lives and stay independent is by learning about traumatic brain injury, or TBI and how to prevent it.
“Help Seniors Live Better, Longer: Prevent Brain Injury” is a CDC initiative to raise awareness among children and other caregivers of older adults about ways to prevent, recognize, and respond to TBI in adults 75 and older.
As part of this initiative, CDC has developed easy-to-use English- and Spanish-language materials for older adults and their caregivers.
Each of these materials uses a concise
question–and-answer format to provide information that older adults and
their caregivers can use to take an active role in preventing,
recognizing, and responding to TBI.
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To support local activities surrounding the “Help Seniors Live Better Longer: Prevent Brain Injury” initiative, CDC has developed the “Event Planning” and “Media Access” guides. These guides are designed to assist with planning and hosting successful community events and working effectively with the media to raise awareness about this serious public health problem. |
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The “Event Planning Guide” includes suggestions and tools for planning and organizing a community event, for enlisting partners, and for promoting and evaluating an event.
(View the Event Planning
Guide) |
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The “Media Access Guide” includes tips and tools, such as talking points and templates for press releases and media advisories, to help you work with your local media to get valuable news coverage for the activities you plan in support of this national effort.
(View the Media Access Guide) |
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Participating Organizations |
Administration on
Aging
American Occupational Therapy Association
Brain Injury Association of America
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Children of Aging Parents
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care
Easter Seals
Emergency Nurses Association
Employee Assistance Professionals Association
Family Caregiver Alliance/National Center on Caregiving
Health Resources and Services
Administration
Home Safety Council
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International Parish Nurse Resource Center
National Adult Day Services Association
National Alliance for Caregiving National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
National Council on Aging
National Family Caregivers Association
National Institute on Aging
National Safety Council
State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association
Visiting Nurses Association of America
YMCA of the USA
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Additional Fall Prevention
Resources |
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“Preventing Falls: What Works: A CDC Compendium of Effective Community-based Fall Prevention Interventions from Around the World”
(View
Compendium)
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“Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs”
(View
User Guide) |
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Content Source: National Center for Injury Control and
Prevention, Division of Injury Response Responsee
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