Thank you! Brain Injury Education ... and balance deficits and provide education and exercise to progress patients toward their prior level of function pre-injury. If using public transportation, study the routes and fares ahead of time. You have got this! Using the calendar also helps me track his events that aren’t on my personal schedule (such as VFW meetings). This is exactly why I knew Grace was the perfect person to partner with for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Healing Box. After a single concussion, it’s rare to have persistent effects. This enables us to give his providers the most accurate picture of his overall health and activity. Make necessary adaptations for holidays and events. It will be ready around 6:00.” The simple act of making him aware of what was coming next was enough to put him at ease. Eliminate what you can. Check them out and see what might work for your situation. We have a shelf by the door for Sean’s keys and wallet. She is now a certified caregiver through the VA’s Caregiver Program. Having a list to check off allows him to pack independently and be confident he has all he needs. “The brain can heal itself and actually grow new pathways to make up for damaged parts” Dr James Bender What is Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI? Building new skills is an excellent strategy for coping with changes in your life. I can remind him with a note on the counter, but then allow plenty of time for him to complete the job independently. Sean serves as Commander of his local VFW chapter and is also the Junior Vice of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter. What is a traumatic brain injury? The focus is on finding new activities to keep you active and healthy. Individuals with brain injury may have difficulty planning and organizing their daily tasks. This can cause bruising, swelling, or tearing of brain tissue. Thank you. They are also handy if you print emails, memos, or meeting notes. We also used orange bump dots to mark the buttons he may need to use most to make them more visible. Sleep medications help with some of the symptoms, but don’t solve the problem. Visit cozi.com and sign up for their shared online calendar (I use the free … But TBI is different. Lol. Sean and I chose to have our meetings each morning. This is especially true when dealing with an invisible injury like TBI. Sean still enjoys maintaining our home and yard, although he’s not able to do many tasks independently. Traumatic brain injury can cause long-lasting effects if the injury is severe or after multiple injuries. Have a timer available. It may also be helpful to choose a safe word or code word that can be used during times of distress. Recovering from a TBI can be confusing and difficult for the patient, but also for his loved ones. Sean is currently using a small whiteboard to track his to-do items for bike camp along with his weekly schedule. Keeping the mind and body active is an effective tool against depression, anxiety, and even pain. For many, this role is new and comes with a lot of questions. We all struggle to get through the day at times and find it takes much longer to recover after setbacks or when new issues arise. Acceleration or deceleration forces may cause laceration of the scalp, skull fracture and/or shifting of the intracranial contents, with resultant focal and diffuse changes. Travel can be stressful even under the best of circumstances. The blast resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Many traumatic brain injuries occur during motor vehicle accidents. Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. That might sound funny at first, but it’s incredibly helpful. These new symptoms should not be disregarded and should be addressed by a healthcare professional. Use this time to run errands, or, bring a good book and enjoy a little down time. The word comes from the Latin concutere, which means "to shake violently." Sean’s nightmares, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and chronic pain all have a negative impact on his quality and quantity of sleep (and mine!). I now label that container so he knows what’s inside (the same for fresh cut fruit or vegetables) with reusable wipe-off labels. Cognitive deficits due to TBI can cause a variety of processing and attention difficulties. Be sure to make note of what works in your individual situation. Outpatient care usually involves the loved ones, caregivers and private nurses. 2. Minimally Conscious State. How to care for a TBI will vary case-by-case. Predictability can reduce anxiety about the unknown and consistency will increase the level of independence in the home. She serves with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation as a Caregiver Fellow. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of brain injury: 1. Avoid if napping disrupts nighttime sleep. Does anyone know if it is normal to take 1 hour naps about twice a day in the afternoon. It is crucial that this matter be discussed as soon as possible with the family, doctors and attorneys, so that the interests of the incapacitated person are protected. Now I can add his appointments, meetings, and trips on my phone and he is able to access them through the app on his iPhone and iPad. Inpatient rehabilitation is designed to help improve function after a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is typically provided by a team of people including physicians, nurses and other specialized therapists and medical professionals. Promise me you will never stop believing in Yourself! Returning home following brain injury can quickly lead to a renegotiation of boundaries and responsibilities that existed within the family before the person’s injury. For more information, read this article about VA prescriptions from Family Of a Vet. She had purchased groceries and was getting frustrated with his wanting to change her plans every night. One Time, A study found that those taking Anticholinergics, common in many different types of medications,…, Learn what you need to know about the common health benefits of essential oils,…, Here are some important facts and Breast Cancer reminders to be aware of during…, Dr. Bruce Kehr explains Alzheimer’s Disease and its stages, and provides helpful tips on…, Reading your body temperature is a specific way to determine it is within a …, It’s hard to imagine anything affecting 1.8 billion people but presbyopia did so in …, Keeping your eyes healthy as you age is a direct result of your eye …, Did you know that New York City deployed 10,000 tablets to those aged 65+ …. By reading through previous journal entries you can identify common stressors or triggers and develop a plan for positive coping strategies when those triggers arise. No one told me about this stuff. I'm a professional organizer and have a new client with TBI. While it may be easier to say “yes” in the moment, think about how you will feel once you are obligated. Your checklist is a great thing to have for him and me. If you have received value from one of our numerous articles, checklists, preparation guides or our highly-rated caregiving app please consider making a contribution to keep our services free. Since I have no desire to do either, our solution was to locate dependable people who offer those services and make it Sean’s job to call them when needed. There are many factors that contribute to the recovery process and as a caregiver you need to be prepared for the unknown. Avoid caffeine and sugar after dinner, and don’t eat large meals late in the day. If you are interested in a free, ready-made packet you can print and fill in, email me at melissa@familyofavet.com and I will send to you. Think you can’t? Changes … His chargers stay plugged in next to his nightstand. Melissa eventually left her teaching job to become a full-time caregiver to her husband. Keep in mind that the goal is to streamline your home life and relieve stress and tension from your family. Unlike most organizations, we strive to keep these services free for all as we understand first-hand how difficult caregiving can be. I carry his critical medical information and know his history. Our new flat-top stove was a particular concern as the burners have options for different sized pans, and the surface stays hot long after the burner is turned off. The app allows me set alerts which come across both our mobile devices as notifications. If the breadwinner has sustained the injury, there are certainly financial ramifications looming. To enable him to be helpful and avoid nagging we’ve come up with our own system. Be clear about who is in charge of making care decisions, and what medical information will be shared. A little praise can go a long way toward boosting a person’s mood and creating a positive pattern of behavior and interaction. Dim the lights. Try setting a timer to: TBI can make it difficult to remember where items are stored, and looking through multiple cupboards and drawers can add frustration. A TBI can significantly change a couple’s relationship. Take time to explore alternatives and get connected with groups that offer adaptive sporting programs like Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities, Lakeshore Foundation’s Lima Foxtrot program, USABA, and Higher Ground (a few of many available to veterans). Bring enough medications (prescription and over-the-counter as needed). Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. Start by reviewing activities for each family member. TBI affects the roots of who we are — our ability to think, to communicate, and to connect with other people. A traumatic brain injury is a type of brain injury caused by a trauma. When faced with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, family members often find it very difficult to consider the issues of guardianship for their incapacitated loved one. It’s handy because i can manage it for him, see any items he adds himself, and view my own calendar at the same time. A traumatic brain injury may occur after your head strikes an object, or when an object goes through your skull and damages your brain. A severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects more than just the injured person. Encourage others to get involved in positive ways by following the model that works for you. Many times when doctors ask Sean how has been feeling, his answer is based on how he is feeling at the moment because he can’t recall how his mood or pain has been over the past few weeks or months since he last saw the doctor. We started with a very detailed daily schedule to help Sean remember the progression of each day’s tasks. Give immediate, constructive feedback. Helmets. Sensory overload and stress can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and anger. If a season-long program doesn’t fit into your schedule, check into local day camps or classes your child could attend. Melissa, thank you for publicizing and sharing this information, it is extremely valuable. Anonymous replied on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 1:59pm Permalink. Equip this space with whatever you find comforting: TV, headphones, computer, comfortable chair, puzzles, books, etc. He is no longer able to safely mow the lawn or shovel the snow. For example, if Sean disappears with no notice I know he is taking down time and doesn’t need my support, but if he is seeking my attention, he needs me to direct him to the safe area and help him get settled in. It occurs as the result of some external force being applied to the brain. I have put together small albums from each trip to help Sean recall these events. It’s important to note that changes in our routine (illness, pain, travel, company) will disrupt his routine and we will need to start over getting him back on track. My TBI happened 33 years ago when I was 13. We will use it daily! We have learned that multi-step instructions or long lists of tasks overwhelm Sean’s brain and result in nothing being accomplished. . Creating an Emergency Binder could literally save a life. maybe if the more people understand any form of brain injury, the happier life will be:), Norah replied on Sun, 05/05/2019 - 11:04pm Permalink. Remember building toward independence is a process. Sean served in the US Army and was deployed three times in his 24-year career in the military. I found this list extensive and very helpful. Preparing to be away from home (or, gasp! Anonymous replied on Thu, 02/06/2020 - 6:36pm Permalink. Keep chores simple. The first few months after a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) are critical. BrianC replied on Sun, 09/27/2020 - 11:39am Permalink. Also, be sure to post emergency numbers in a visible location and include suicide hotline numbers. We offer a variety of expert health care services in the home that can help provide for the option of staying at home versus moving to a long-term care facility. You may want to label drawers, cupboard doors, bathroom cabinets, nightstand drawers, storage in the garage, etc. Many people are safe to be taken care of at home following a TBI, especially if they suffered a mild brain injury. We use a system of labels around the house to locate key items. Caring for someone with a brain injury This section is for the carers and family members of people with a brain injury. It is important to document health changes and symptoms to identify patterns and track changes over time. I have included a few examples. How long and how arduous the road to recovery is will directly affect the type of care needed. Always carry emergency information in your wallet or purse. Connect with others who will encourage independence in or out of the home. Be honest about your needs and limitations. Sean often means to pack an item, or thinks he has it when he doesn’t. This is how I coped with life (minus the phone apps cause I wrote notes everywhere). I created a calendar for Sean in my iPhone and shared it with him (see brief instructions below or click here). I have the texts sent to my phone as well so I can verbally remind him (in case I lose track of time). Road traffic accidents are the most common cause of TBI. Many times people want to help but don’t know how. 3. We also keep a list of his goals on the bulletin board along with a list of upcoming travel dates. Keep the dog’s critical items in your carry-on baggage. Find What You Need The following are key areas that can impact success when completing tasks and activities: It is important to allow time to think and respond, and provide prompting as necessary. Sean gave a blank stare and said he hadn’t been on a fishing trip. I told her that as it neared dinner time she should tell him, “I’m making ____ for dinner tonight. In addition, each year there are about 2.5 million emergency room visits, hospitalization and/or deaths associated with TBI. She is honored to work alongside other caregivers from across the nation to raise awareness of the issues facing our nation’s caregivers and families.