Rehabilitation is available for individuals with TBI and for their families.
Patient Strategies
Compensatory and Restorative strategies are used in rehabilitation with individuals following TBI for cognitive-communicative, psychosocial/emotional, and physical problems.
Compensatory Strategies
Compensatory strategies focus on adaptive behaviors. A person with a TBI may no longer be able to perform a task the way (s)he used to because of the injury. A compensatory strategy is coming up with a new way to perform a task. For example, a college student who suffered from a TBI may no longer be able to write down notes for his lecture as fast as he used to. A compensatory strategy could be for him to now record the lectures and transcribe them into note form after class.
Restorative Strategies
Restorative Strategies are designed to repair processes and restructure or rebuild damaged neural networks. Examples are tasks and drills to help a person with a TBI restore his/her memory.
Caregiver Strategies
Taking care of someone is a big responsibility and not always easy. It can be hard to deal with someone who looks the same after a TBI as before but is different behaviorally and emotionally. Below are some coping strategies that may be helpful.
Caregiver Education
Learn as much about TBI as possible. Books, websites, support groups, seminars, are examples of resources to become educated, and receive helpful tips and advice from people who might be going through or have gone through a similar situation
Take Care of Yourself
Caregivers will not be able to help someone else if they are not helping themselves.
Get Sleep- Lack of sleep and exhaustion are main causes of illness
in caregivers and can lead feelings of guilt and irritability towards
the one you are caring for
Eat Well
Exercise
Socialize
Get Outside Support
Caregivers can burnout easily. Go to area TBI support groups; get counseling (e.g., clergy, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers)
Resources
The following web links are resources for caregivers to help maintain a balance in taking care of their loved one as well as taking care of themselves:
Rehabilitation Process
Rehabilitation is available for individuals with TBI and for their families.
Patient Strategies
Compensatory and Restorative strategies are used in rehabilitation with individuals following TBI for cognitive-communicative, psychosocial/emotional, and physical problems.
Compensatory Strategies
Compensatory strategies focus on adaptive behaviors. A person with a TBI may no longer be able to perform a task the way (s)he used to because of the injury. A compensatory strategy is coming up with a new way to perform a task. For example, a college student who suffered from a TBI may no longer be able to write down notes for his lecture as fast as he used to. A compensatory strategy could be for him to now record the lectures and transcribe them into note form after class.
Restorative Strategies
Restorative Strategies are designed to repair processes and restructure or rebuild damaged neural networks. Examples are tasks and drills to help a person with a TBI restore his/her memory.
Caregiver Strategies
Taking care of someone is a big responsibility and not always easy. It can be hard to deal with someone who looks the same after a TBI as before but is different behaviorally and emotionally. Below are some coping strategies that may be helpful.
Caregiver Education
Learn as much about TBI as possible. Books, websites, support groups, seminars, are examples of resources to become educated, and receive helpful tips and advice from people who might be going through or have gone through a similar situation
Take Care of Yourself
Caregivers will not be able to help someone else if they are not helping themselves.
in caregivers and can lead feelings of guilt and irritability towards
the one you are caring for
Get Outside Support
Caregivers can burnout easily. Go to area TBI support groups; get counseling (e.g., clergy, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers)
Resources
The following web links are resources for caregivers to help maintain a balance in taking care of their loved one as well as taking care of themselves: