Falls-related traumatic brain injury in the elderly

Brain Injury Australia is the national peak Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) advocacy organisation representing, through its State and Territory member organisations, the needs of people with an ABI, their families and carers.

As part of its work, Brain Injury Australia writes policy papers for the Australian Government. The next one, due at the end of March, will be on falls-related Traumatic Brain Injury, particularly in the elderly.

Of the roughly 120,000 hospitalisations for falls-related injury in Australia in 2004-05, around 8,000 resulted in Traumatic Brain Injury. The vast majority of these occurred in the elderly, and at home. Of all causes of Traumatic Brain Injury, falls are the most deadly (63% of cases).

Brain Injury Australia is seeking the help of residential aged care providers, health workers and professionals to identify:

* how often they see falls-related Traumatic Brain Injury in the elderly in their work;
* any programs of rehabilitation or support they make available to the elderly, their families and carers after a falls-related Traumatic Brain Injury;
* whether falls prevention or behaviour management programs or education include information about falls-related Traumatic Brain Injury;
* how they help Brain Injury Australia make contact with the elderly who’ve survived a falls-related Traumatic Brain Injury and/or their families and carers; and
* receiving suggestions from clinicians, allied health professionals, advocates, and other personnel in aged care who might have an interest in falls-related Traumatic Brain Injury.

The executive officer of Brain Injury Australia, Nick Rushworth, will receive information or submissions  on (02) 8507 6555 or via e-mail nick.rushworth@bia.net.au