Ten Steps To Helping Your Brain Injured Family Member

The role of a caregiver to someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is an important one. And as such, there are many ways they can give assistance. The following are some of the ways:

1. They can give assistance by helping to further the health of the brain injured survivor. This can be done in several ways.
- By beginning cognitive and memory exercises as soon after the injury as possible. This will help to increase the chances of a successful recovery.
- Reminders for taking medications;
- Ensuring that they have a healthy diet;
- Assisting them in getting to medical appointments as they are required;
- Encouraging them towards healthy choices in their lifestyle. i.e.: not smoking, drinking or using drugs. You may not be successful because you can only lead the horse to water but it is important to continue to remind them of the harm they are doing to themselves when they make unhealthy choices.

2. Help to identify any potential problems and make an effort to avoid them.
- Avoid the company of those who encourage drinking or the use of drugs.

3. Assistance in avoiding situations that can contribute to anger and frustration.
- Determine what issues trigger anger and frustration - long line-ups?
- Having to wait for an anticipated outing or event?
- The noise of young children?
- Being uncomfortable - too hot or in pain, etc.?
- Being required to do something they don't want to do?
Some things, of course, are unavoidable.

4. Assistance in helping with adjusting and adapting to deficits.
- This will be difficult if they are in denial and do not admit to having deficits.
- Help with issues relating to loss of short-term memory;
- Help with issues relating to motivation.
These issues seem to be more readily admitted.

5. Assistance with things they have difficulty doing or are unable to do.

6. Offer encouragement, support and acceptance.

7. Have a sense of humor.

8. Try to remain calm and optimistic.

9. Encourage them to try new challenges.

10. Repeat regularly any reminders as one would have to do with a child.
- This seems to be working with my partner regarding his insistence in smoking in the bedroom/ensuite - he now rarely does this having finally decided to smoke instead in his workshop most of the time. This has not been easy. I have had to say it many, many times over the past two and a half years before he finally seemed to 'get it'.
- And with regards to my partner's drinking, although I'm not sure if he does still occasionally drink when I'm not home, I haven't heard him slurring his words recently. He also has repeated words to others that I have said to him referring to his drinking. i.e.: that he can't drink like he used to be able to because he isn't able to handle it. (He still doesn't say it's because of his brain injury, only that he is unable to any longer).

Any caregiver will agree that the list does not stop there but it is a good beginning.