Brain Disorders & Therapy

Traumatic brain injury in older adults: Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes

Joint Event on 3^rd International Conference on Neuropsychiatry and Sleep Medicine & 8^th International Conference on Neurology and Brain Disorders

September 21-22, 2018 | Philadelphia, USA

Cynthia L Boyer

University of Pennsylvania, USA

Keynote: Brain Disord Ther

Abstract:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. It has often been referred to as the ???silent epidemic???. Older adults are at particularly high risk after sustaining a TBI. This ???silent silver epidemic??? results in higher degrees of mortality and functional disability compared with younger adults. Adults aged 65 and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalization and death. TBI is responsible for more than 80,000 emergency department visits each year for persons aged 65 and older, with 75% of these visits resulting in hospitalization as a result of the injury. Falls are now the leading cause of TBI for older adults (51%), with motor vehicle traffic crashes a distant second (9%). While older age is known to negatively influence outcome after TBI, with even mild injuries leading to significant disability, traumatic brain injury often goes undiagnosed or underdiagnosed in older adults. Factors contributing to TBI risk and diagnostic challenges will be presented. Implications for care highlighting the importance of early identification and potential for positive outcomes with rehabilitation will be addressed. As the population of older adults in the United States and globally grows, strategies that address prevention and awareness are essential.

Biography :

Cynthia L Boyer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years experience in neurorehabilitation. Her professional career has focused on the neuropsychological evaluation, psychological treatment, and cognitive rehabilitation of individuals with acquired and degenerative brain injuries. She earned a BA in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and an MA and PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Delaware. An accomplished clinician, she also has a strong background in administration, strategic planning, program development and clinical quality. She served as Executive Director of Brain Injury Services and Vice President of Quality for Bancroft. Currently, she is in private practice in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is also a clinical consultant for ReMed New Jersey and CHE Senior Psychological Services. In addition to her clinical work, she holds faculty positions at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Wiedner University and is a trainer for the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS). She serves on the board of the New Jersey Brain Injury Alliance and is a Medical Rehabilitation Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

E-mail: clboyer@comcast.net