The ever-changing brain injury
The world of traumatic brain injury is flexible and sometimes unpredictable. What is true one minute may not be true the next. Asking for help? Offer help? Do something without asking?
Caregivers are sometimes unsure of what to do and when to do it.
It can also be difficult to talk with the person with a head injury about how much help they need. Often a person with a head injury does not have the perception or understanding of what their deficits may be; You just don’t understand that you can’t keep checking, drive a car, make dinner, or keep a schedule.
When this level of care is required, it can be exhausting and frustrating for everyone involved. Once most of your recovery is over (18 to 24 months, although recovery can continue for a long time), setting consistent schedules and reminders becomes a staple for any home.
1. Daily schedule: a daily schedule written in short sentences, at specific times, can be very helpful. This can be done with a schedule on the side, or as a daily reminder, ie brushing your teeth – 8:00 am. Either way, keeping this type of schedule in a consistent place will help reduce the caregiver’s anxiety of always remembering everything to complete.
2. The walk away rule – At any time, stress and anxiety can erupt into an argument over simple things. The withdrawal, or period of calm, is essential for any caregiver. Unfortunately, many times the person who is trying to take a break is chased by the person who is upset. Everyone should do whatever it takes to set limits or a sign that one of you has had enough for now.
3. Find time to do something fun every day: whether it’s a long hug, sitting on the couch together, a back rub or watching the sunset, nothing is more important than trying to support something from your spouse, family or support. separate person from caregiver. This is the hardest piece to make and the hardest thing to pay attention to, but one of the most important.
Relationships and support are the common threads that bind a person with a brain injury. Those who live with and around that person play an important role in creating an environment of support and stability.