Brain Injury Awareness Month
Did you know that every 9 seconds someone in the United States sustains a brain injury? There are actually two types of brain injuries - Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). According to the Brain Injury Association of America, more than 3.6 million people sustain an ABI each year and more than 2.8 million people sustain a TBI each year.
By learning about brain injuries and their causes, you can become more empowered to learn about how to prevent them.
What is an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?
An ABI, also known as a non-traumatic brain injury is a type of injury to the brain that is not hereditary, degenerative, congenital, or induced by trauma at birth, according to the Brain Injury Association of America.
Causes of ABI can include:
Electric Shock
Infectious Disease
Lightning Strike
Oxygen Deprivation
Stroke
Car Accidents
Seizure Disorders
Trauma
Toxins
Substance Abuse
Not all causes of ABI can be prevented (seizure disorders, stroke, trauma, etc). If you have specific questions about how to reduce your chances of experiencing an ABI, you should speak with your healthcare provider who can offer you medical advice and specific tips.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic Brain Injury occurs from a bump or blow to the head, or a penetrating brain injury.
Causes of TBI include:
Falling
Sports injuries
Being struck with an object
Car accidents
Preventing TBI in Older Adults
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fall-related TBI deaths between 2008 and 2017 increased by 17% across the country. Older adults age 75-years and older are most at risk. The CDC recommends taking the following measures to help prevent falls in older adults:
Talk to your doctor about fall risk and prevention
Do strength and balance exercises
Get your eyes checked regularly
Another way to help prevent TBI from falls in older adults is to make the home safer. This can include:
Removing items from the home that can easily be tripped over
Adding grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet
Putting railings on both sides of stairs
Making sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs
Assistive Technology with SimplyHome Can Help
If you know someone living with a brain injury, SimplyHome technology might be a solution to help them increase their level of independence. If the individual has suffered memory loss due to their injury, they can receive customized prompts of their daily routine. For example, by pairing a bathroom door sensor with an audible speaker, we can prompt the individual of their hygiene routine when they enter the bathroom in the morning and night. The customized prompts can also address safety concerns such as when the stove is left on and there is no motion in the kitchen - the individual can receive a phone call reminding them to turn off their stove. SimplyHome technology addresses the concerns of wandering, elopement, risk of falls, medication compliance, etc.
Take a Virtual Tour Here or by selecting the image below to learn about how SimplyHome technology can address concerns and empower independence.
Having increased awareness about brain injury types and causes will hopefully provide you with knowledge to reduce your chances of acquiring a brain injury, as well as insight for supporting a loved one who might have an ABI or TBI.
About SimplyHome
SimplyHome designs and installs innovative and affordable technology solutions that transform how we care for individuals with disabilities and aging adults. Our technology empowers individuals to live their own self-determined lifestyles while addressing the concerns of caregivers.
Find out more about how enabling technology can provide a loved one with independence.