March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

For over thirty years, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has led the charge in promoting the observance of Brain Injury Awareness Month in March. The theme for this campaign is, very fittingly, Change Your Mind, which advocates for increased education about brain injuries. As seniors, we know just how important it is it to protect our brain function and promote healthy practices, but this March, learning more about brain injuries themselves is very important not only for older Americans, but for all Americans.The brain is such an important and complex organ, and injuries can affect the way we think, the way we act, and the way we feel. The #ChangeYourMind campaign was created to provide a platform for educating the public about brain injury, just how common these injuries are, and what we can do to support our family members and friends who may suffer from a brain injury.There are two types of acquired brain injuries—traumatic, and non-traumatic. The difference in these types of brain injuries is that traumatic brain injury is caused by an external force, such as a fall or car accident, and non-traumatic brain injury is caused by an internal force, like a strokes or seizure. The CDC reports that for older Americans, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, so make sure to take measures to prevent falls around the house. Recovering from a brain injury can take time, and no two brain injuries are the same. Unfortunately, there isn’t much available research on aging with a brain injury, which is why supporting initiatives like #ChangeYourMind is so important for encouraging research into treatments.Many doctors are now treating brain injury as a disease, rather than as a single event, due to potentially-lingering side effects. Brain injury is also thought to increase the likelihood of developing certain diseases that tend to affect seniors, like dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and cognitive decline more generally. Luckily, Medicare programs cover many testing and treatment options for older Americans who suffer from a brain injury. As always, it is critical that we as seniors make sure we know exactly what our specific Medicare plan covers, including inpatient treatments and prescription medications. You can learn more about coverage options here, and ensure that you are informed!Make sure to get involved this March in Brain Injury Awareness Month by participating in the #ChangeYourMind campaign! Check out resources, ways to support the cause, and other informational items here, and make sure that this month, you #ChangeYourMind about brain injury patients and survivors!