Fall Prevention in Elderly Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury

Falls are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in people 65 years of age and older. After a TBI, a person is at an increased risk of future falls due to related impairments such as vestibular and visual dysfunction, dual-tasking deficits, balance and coordination impairments, and cognitive and communication deficits, in addition to medical risk factors. Comprehensive assessments of TBI-related impairments that could contribute to falls should be considered by clinicians to reduce morbidity and mortality in this population. This article summarizes risk factors for falls after TBI and ideas to address each limitation.