Concussion education / Sarasota, Bradenton & Venice

Concussion in Older Adults After a Fall in Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice

An older parent fell and hit their head in Sarasota, Bradenton or Venice? Warning signs families should watch for and how concussion testing is arranged.

When an older parent or grandparent falls, families worry, and they are right to pay close attention. In Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice, a fall at home or out and about is one of the most common ways older adults hurt their heads.

Falls along the Gulf Coast

Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice are home to many retirees and seasonal residents. Falls at home, in parking lots or on wet pool decks are a common cause of head injury in older adults, and the CDC notes that falls are a leading cause of TBI. Older adults, especially those on blood thinners, should be checked promptly after a head bump, even if they say they feel fine.

Warning signs for families

Watch for confusion, unusual sleepiness, a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, new weakness or trouble walking, and changes in speech or behavior. Any of these after a fall needs emergency care. Milder changes, such as forgetfulness or unsteadiness that is new, should be raised with their provider soon.

You know your loved one. If something seems different after a fall, trust that and get them checked.

Common concussion symptoms

• Physical: headache, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise.
• Thinking: feeling foggy or slowed down, trouble concentrating or remembering.
• Emotional: irritability, sadness, anxiety.
• Sleep: sleeping more or less than usual.

When to go to the emergency room

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away for danger signs such as a headache that gets worse and does not go away, repeated vomiting, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, seizures, unusual confusion, one pupil larger than the other, or loss of consciousness. In the area, hospitals with emergency departments include Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton; in an emergency, go to whichever ER is closest.

Getting checked in Sarasota, Bradenton & Venice

If symptoms are not severe but are not going away, start with your treating provider, such as your primary care doctor, chiropractor, orthopedist, pain management physician or physical therapist. Keep a short symptom diary to share with them. If they decide objective testing makes sense, they can refer you to Braintree. We are a mobile service: our team brings concussion and TBI testing to your provider's office across Sarasota, Bradenton & Venice, so you are tested somewhere familiar. Your provider receives a physician-reviewed diagnostic report and decides on your care.

Not sure where to start? Call our help line at 813-709-3771. We can walk you through how testing works and help you think about next steps for getting checked and finding care. You can also read our guide for patients and families.

For local providers

If you treat accident or injury patients in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice, Braintree brings mobile concussion and TBI testing to your office and returns a physician-reviewed diagnostic report. You stay in charge of care. We diagnose. You treat. See how it works for providers or send a referral.

For legal teams

Personal injury firms serving Sarasota, Bradenton & Venice can learn how testing at the client's treating provider's office produces objective, physician-reviewed diagnostic reports. Testing is ordered by the treating provider. See information for attorneys.

Frequently asked questions

Related: Concussion testing in Sarasota, Bradenton & Venice | Concussion testing in Florida | For patients and families | Call 813-709-3771

Sources

• CDC: About mild TBI and concussion
• CDC HEADS UP: Concussion signs and symptoms
• NIH NINDS: Traumatic Brain Injury

This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.