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Brain Injury Among the Elderly

Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC Attorneys

Brain Injury Leads to an Increased Mortality Rate in the Elderly

Several studies agree that advanced age leads to an increased mortality rate for elderly people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Scientists believe that neuroplasticity – or the brain’s ability to adapt and re-route brain functions to avoid injured areas – decreases the older a person gets. This makes it much more difficult for elderly patients to benefit from therapy after a brain injury.

The atrophy of the brain that occurs in older people also increases the distance between the brain and the interior of the skull, making the brain much more vulnerable to damage after a severe impact. A single car accident can dramatically alter or end the life of an elderly person who was otherwise in strong health.

The Challenging Recovery Process for Elderly TBI Patients

The TBI Model Systems Data Set provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) indicates that patients age 55 and older:

• Have significantly longer and more expensive stays in rehabilitation units
• Recover half as quickly as patients younger than 55
• Have greater cognitive impairment at the time of discharge

As with all brain injury patients, the severity of the injury and the amount of time it takes for a patient to receive proper medical attention all affect the outcome of an elderly patient’s treatment. Unfortunately, traumatic injuries of any kind will always affect the elderly more drastically than the young.

If one of your elderly loved ones has suffered a brain injury because of another person’s negligence, they may be left without the means to pay for expensive treatment and rehabilitation. Our dedicated Virginia brain injury attorneys can fight for their rights and help them win the compensation they need to make a proper recovery.

To discuss your brain injury case, please contact the experienced Virginia brain injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today. We are committed to protecting the rights of injured individuals in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC

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