There is a worldwide increase in the aging population with a concomitant increase in the number of older adults at risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Falls are the most common cause of TBI in the elderly. Older adults are at increased risk for sustaining subdural hematomas and epidural hematomas.

Healthcare providers should be cognizant of normal age-related changes that could affect recovery from TBI or be compounded by a brain injury. Older individuals have slower recovery rates, higher mortality rates, and lower functional status at discharge following moderate to severe TBI. Rehabilitation programs should provide a holistic, patient-centered approach to management of older adults with TBI, with a goal of successful community reintegration to prevent social isolation and improve quality of life.