Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are devastating for both the victim and the family. These injuries can change a person’s life in a matter of moments. It can be tough to recover from a TBI, if the patient will recover at all. The rehabilitation, treatment and other medical care could last for the remainder of their life. Here are some tips for caring for a family member who has a TBI.
If the trauma is serious enough, you could wind up seeing your independent child become a dependent child again and your spouse become like caring for a child. Brain injuries can alter the way the patient thinks, acts and cares for themselves, making it very hard for family members to adjust.
One of the most important aspects of caring for a loved one with TBI is that you might need to supervise them constantly. If they are able to move about on their own, they might require supervision if they have not relearned how to talk, use household items or other things that are part of everyday life.
You might also have to help the patient relearn a lot of skills they can no longer master. This could include speaking, writing, feeding themselves, changing their clothes, drinking, using their hands and many other skills. This will require a lot of patience on your part.
TBI is a serious injury that can be caused by any type of accident. It can alter a person’s life instantly. Make sure you know how to care for a family member who has suffered a TBI so that they will be as comfortable as possible at home.