Question: Which statement is true regarding a head injury in the older adult patient? Need Assignment Help? The thickening and inelasticity of the arteries lessen the likelihood of head injury in the older population. The skull of the older adult patient is thicker and helps guard against head trauma. Hypertrophy of the brain causes a significant increase in the weight of the head on the spine, predisposing the patient to falls. Shrinkage of the brain results in a significant distance between the brain and skull.