Are You A Caregiver For Someone With A Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can affect every aspect of your life. However, there are some instances in which only one or two symptoms are present. If you have a loved one who is dealing with a traumatic brain injury, you should try to understand how the injury might affect your loved one.
Difficulties with caregiving
One thing that makes it hard to deal with the changes of a loved one who is dealing with a brain injury is that the physical signs aren’t always present. This can make it easy to forget about the injury or that the person is still coping with the effects. Think about these points when you find yourself getting flustered or frustrated with your loved one.
Physical limitations bring complications
People who were fully independent before the accident might find it difficult to be dependent upon anyone. Dealing with the physical limitations can be difficult. It might require that the person use assistive devices and alternative methods to get tasks done. If you are a family member who doubles as a caregiver, you might find that having to help all the time becomes difficult. Seeking compensation for the injury might help you to be able to afford respite care so you can have a break for a few hours at a time.
Memory and communication issues
Memory changes and communication difficulties can make it hard to live a normal life. Your loved one might not be able to remember certain things, which can make functioning difficult. The difficulties with communication that might occur make it hard to let others know what is bothering them. Finding the right words to express needs or desires can be frustrating.
Emotional and behavioral changes can be hard to cope with
The emotional and behavioral changes that occur can make your loved one seem like a different person. A person who was laid back and fun loving might be angry and mean after a traumatic brain injury. While this is normal, it is often difficult to deal with when you are the receiving end. You can’t always get away when your loved one starts to act out, so you might have to find alternative coping methods. Taking a few minutes to remind yourself of why your loved one is behaving this way might help you to deal with it a bit better. Seeking out mental health help for you and your loved one might be in order in these cases.
Don’t face these issues alone or feel you have to pay for services or assistance yourself. Consult a knowledgeable Sacramento brain injury attorney to learn about your options.