Concussion Symptoms in Older Adults After a Car Crash

Older adults can be more vulnerable after a crash, and their concussion symptoms can look like normal aging or medication effects.

Signs families notice

New confusion, unsteadiness, more falls, changes in sleep or mood, or trouble managing routines.

Medication matters

Blood thinners raise the risk of bleeding after head trauma. Anyone taking them who hits their head should get prompt medical evaluation.

Testing in a familiar setting

Mobile testing happens at the treating provider's office, so the patient doesn't need another unfamiliar appointment.

When it's an emergency

Go to the ER right away for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, a seizure, weakness, slurred speech, or increasing confusion. Mobile testing is not emergency care.

Braintree Health Partners provides diagnostics only. We diagnose. You treat.

Ask your provider to refer you: providers use /referral or call 813-709-3771.

Why older adults need extra attention after a crash

Older adults may have a higher risk of complications after head trauma, and their symptoms can be mistaken for normal aging, medication side effects, or existing conditions. A family member may notice that a parent seems "a bit slower" after an accident and assume it's age. Blood-thinning medications, which many older adults take, also raise specific safety concerns after any blow to the head. For these reasons, the threshold for medical evaluation should be low.

Symptoms that may look different

In older adults, concussion symptoms can show up as new confusion, increased forgetfulness, unsteadiness or falls, changes in sleep, withdrawal from activities, irritability, or difficulty managing routine tasks like medications, bills, or cooking. Headache and dizziness are common too. Because these changes can be gradual, a written record of what was normal before the crash and what has changed since is especially helpful.

Medications and history to share

Make sure the treating provider has a complete medication list, especially blood thinners, sleep aids, and medications that affect balance or thinking. Share any history of memory concerns, prior strokes, falls, or earlier head injuries. This context helps the reviewing physician interpret results fairly instead of attributing everything to one cause.

How mobile testing helps

For older adults, an extra trip to an unfamiliar testing center can be tiring or impractical, especially if they no longer drive. Braintree tests at the provider's office the patient already visits, with a technician who allows breaks and goes at a comfortable pace. A family member can usually come along to help describe changes.

Emergency warning signs, especially important here

For anyone on blood thinners, any significant head impact deserves prompt medical evaluation. Call 911 or go to the ER right away for a worsening headache, vomiting, unusual drowsiness, new confusion, weakness, slurred speech, unequal pupils, or seizures. Symptoms can appear hours or days later.

For families and caregivers

Watch closely in the days and weeks after the crash. Write down changes with dates, attend appointments when you can, and speak up if something seems different. You often notice what the patient can't.

Related

• How mobile testing works · Concussion & TBI testing · For patients · Service areas
• teen driver concussion after accident · headaches weeks after accident