Overview

• A population-based CMAJ study using Ontario health data included more than 260,000 adults aged 65 and older with 132,113 matched pairs and follow-up to March 2021.
• New traumatic brain injury in later life was associated with a 69% higher risk of dementia within five years and a 56% higher risk beyond five years.
• Older adults with TBI had greater use of publicly funded home care (hazard ratio 1.30; 87 days versus 84) and a higher likelihood of long-term care admission (hazard ratio 1.45).
• More than half of TBIs in seniors stem from falls, underscoring a clear prevention target to reduce subsequent dementia cases.
• Women, people aged 85 and older, and residents of low-income, smaller, or less diverse communities faced higher dementia risk, received less home care, and were more likely to enter long-term care.