Epilepsy: Prevalence in the Elderly and Impact on Children
Epilepsy in the Elderly
Epilepsy is often more common amongst the elderly and can frequently go unrecognised or be misdiagnosed. Its prevalence increases in older adults primarily due to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, brain tumours, and an increased risk of falls leading to head trauma.
Impact on Children and Families
When epilepsy affects younger children, it significantly impacts not only the child but also their parents and siblings. Balancing normal development with the special concerns of epilepsy can be challenging. A valuable resource for further information is The Epilepsy Foundation website. It provides informational materials and a Freephone telephone number where teenagers can ask questions and receive straightforward answers.