Mild Brain Injuries Grow

There is an increase in the number of mild brain injuries reported. The rise in cases reported are due to various factors – among the most common are increased awareness, educational programs, and lifestyle choices. Mild brain injury can result from a blow or jolt to the head, leading to bruising or trauma to the brain surface. It is estimated approximately 1.4 million people are diagnosed with mild brain injury each year. Amazingly, 85% of those receiving treatment will make a full recovery. Despite the fact that more closed head injuries are being reported, there are still misconceptions about mild brain injuries.When an individual initially experiences mild brain injury, losing consciousness may or may not occur. In fact, it is not unusual for a person to “feel fine” immediately following a hit to the head area. However, over a period of time, symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness, vomiting, blurred speech or vision, and headaches may manifest. In many situations people are not aware of a mild brain injury until symptoms appear weeks, or even months later. Regrettably, going undiagnosed happens frequently among children who may have encountered head trauma from sports, abuse from adults, or bullying. Common causes of mild brain injury are falls, car accidents, sports, war, skiing, and boating accidents.In light of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mild brain injury is a reality for many of our returning troops. Many of these young men and women will find it extremely difficult adapting to civilian life once they return because of head injuries sustained during combat. If brain injury victims do not receive timely therapeutic intervention, the recovery process can be prolonged. In addition, delayed treatment may lead to complications as temporary symptoms may become permanent. Most tragic is the fact that mild brain injuries may be fatal if undetected over an extended period of time.

What's New?

I'm so excited!!! We have been very busy here at Optimal Healthcare Solutions. I'm preparing to put on 2 Dementia Care Training classes this week and next week. I just finished a Dementia Care handout to give to families when I counsel them. I also completed the Mild Brain Injury training course, created for coaches and parents. So forgive me for not posting a long message today. I need to practice for my presentations.

Updated Statistics on Dementia

As the Director of Clinical Services for a home health care agency. I have seen an increase in the number of dementia cases coming into our agency. Why? I'll tell you why!
By the end of this year the number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia are expected to be 111,560. Some experts predict 67,680 new cases will be women and 43,880 will be men. Why the difference? Are women more susceptible to getting dementia than men? No, of course not. The facts are increased for women because in general they out live men. It is projected that seniors 75 and older will increase by 70% by 2025.
Right now the American Alzheimer's Association say that America has 5.4 million seniors with Alzheimer's so far, and the numbers will increase as the baby boomers grow older. This figure is expected to increase 350% by 2050. By the end of this year, 10,000 people will be turning 65. 85% of them will need some sort of home health care. Sadly, there are also approximately 200,000 individuals in the US under the age of 65 who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Fact: So far America has spent 183 Billion, not Million, but Billion of dollars per year to care for people with dementia. 80% of these patients have at least one chronic health care issue, and 50% have at least two medical conditions such as: Arthritis, Diabetes, Hypertension, COPD, or a cardiac condition. As patients with dementia start to enter into the 3rd and 4th stages of dementia, their health may start to deteriorate due to non-compliance of care by the patient with dementia.
2 years ago government statistics stated that there were 8.9 million unpaid caregivers. The numbers have grown. This year it is estimated that 14.9 million people care for their loved ones who are over the age of 50.
2 years ago American businesses estimated they lost $34 Billion dollar due to employees needing time off to care for their parents, spouse or other relative.