Help Seniors Live Better, Longer: Prevent Brain Injury
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.
The Facts:
- Falls are the leading cause of TBI.
- People 75 years of age and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and death.
- Family members and other caregivers of older adults can help protect their loved ones’ health and independence by:
- Reducing their risk for falls
- Recognizing signs of TBI after a fall occurs; and
- Taking appropriate steps when signs of TBI are observed.
Materials
Tri-fold Brochure "Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults: Information for Family Members and Other Caregivers" - Booklet for Older Adults "Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults"
Poster
Facts about TBI in Older Adults 
E-card for caregivers (English)"TBI is a Special Health Concern or Older Adults" (English)
Fact Sheet"Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults: A Fact Sheet for Family Members and Other Caregivers"
Poster Signs and Symptoms of TBI- Magnet Signs and Symptoms of TBI
E-card for caregivers (English) "Fall-related TBI Prevention Steps"
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.
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)
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)
Promotional Flyer 
Print Ad
Ordering Card
Power Point Slides
BackgrounderParticipating 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
-
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
Additional Fall Prevention Resources
Compendium "Preventing Falls: What Works: A CDC Compendium of Effective Community-based Fall Prevention Interventions from Around the World"
User Guide "Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs"
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
4770 Buford Hwy, NE
MS F-63
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
