A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal finds that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in older adults significantly increase the risk of developing dementia, as well as the likelihood of needing home care and long-term care.
Researchers from the University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital analyzed data from over 260,000 Canadians aged 65 and older between 2004 and 2020. They found that a TBI raised the risk of dementia by 69% within the first five years and 56% beyond five years. Those with TBI also required slightly more days of publicly funded home care compared to those without TBI.
Falls — often preventable — account for over half of TBIs in older adults, with about one million Canadians over 65 expected to experience a TBI in their lifetime. The study also identified higher dementia risk among older age groups, women, and people from low-income neighborhoods. Individuals living in smaller or less diverse communities were more likely to enter long-term care.
The authors recommend targeting fall prevention and developing community-based dementia prevention and support programs, especially for women aged 75 and older in low-income or rural areas. They emphasize that understanding the long-term effects of late-life TBI can help clinicians and families plan for care and dementia prevention.
Credit: https://medicalxpress.com