Traumatic brain injury survivors need support that includes patience and understanding. Learn more from the Iowa home care experts.
Meeting the care needs of a loved one who is undergoing traumatic brain injury rehabilitation can be easier to manage when armed with knowledge and understanding. The methods below, courtesy of professional Burlington, IA rehabilitation services from Advanced Home Health Care, can lower stress and frustration for both family caregivers and traumatic brain injury survivors.
- Recovery Requires Time: Recovery for an individual with a brain injury usually takes years. Despite the fact that the person may look to be recovered on the outside, some days will likely be better than others, and pushing the person too hard can bring about setbacks. Be patient and stay away from negativity.
- Examine Things from a Different Outlook: Try to put yourself in the shoes of the individual with the brain injury, and view circumstances through his or her eyes and capabilities.
- Create Structure: A structured day is often key to recovery because it can help the individual retrain the brain and realize what to expect during the day.
- Patience Is Vital: Permit the person to undertake tasks at his or her own pace to help improve independence. Extend patience in listening, allowing the person to finish speaking without interrupting, even if it takes time to find the words. This helps the person to relearn communication abilities.
- It’s Okay to Provide Assistance, But Refrain from Doing: If the person seems to get “stuck” in an activity or is repeating actions, he or she may simply need a little help processing information. Avoid taking over the task, but instead share simple tips. In some cases, people with brain injuries will need to take care of a task in a very specific order as they retrain their brains.
- Offer Many Chances for Rest: A person with a brain injury requires more rest than normal. It is not because of laziness. It is tedious for the person to process and sort out thoughts, especially when tired, making a good night’s sleep very important.
- Stay Alert During Social Scenarios: Crowded areas or parties can be daunting with too many conversations and loud noises occurring. Know that it may well be too much to process and the person might benefit from a break.
- Never Treat the Person like a Child: Make sure you never talk down to the person. Even though you may be trying to be of help, it can appear belittling.
- Dealing with Challenging Behaviors: It’s essential to discover what triggered a behavior. Was the person fatigued? Did too much noise cause anxiety? Was a certain routine broken? If possible, steer clear of those triggers to help avoid the difficult behaviors.
- Be Sensitive to Strong Feelings: Understand that the person may become more irritated or agitated, or might be more sensitive than before the injury. Consider that many things which used to be second nature now require a great deal of effort to accomplish.
- Provide Hope and Motivation: Celebrate each accomplishment. Every moment of progress, however small, is a success. New advancements and stories of healing are occurring every day. No one person’s recovery is just like another.
- Get Support: You cannot be your loved one’s sole support system. The person will benefit from a range of professionals and online or local support groups. Furthermore, as a family caregiver, it’s very important that you recognize how stressful life can be and to find support services for yourself as well.
Advanced Home Health Care, providers of rehabilitation services Burlington, IA and the surrounding areas trust, can provide specialized care for those who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. Contact us online or call us at 800.791.7785 for a trusted partner in care. To learn more about all of the areas we provide services, please visit our Service Area page.
