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Jodi Burgard, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, LIFE CENTER (page 2 of 2) Page 2 of 2
8. Be calm around your loved one. He or she can sense when those around are upset and agitated about something, which may in turn cause them to become upset.
9. Do not make unrealistic demands on your loved one. If they feel that they are being pushed to do things that they cannot achieve, it may make them feel worthless and as though they are not making any progress.
10. Bring in some familiar things that your loved one may recognize. Often pictures and stuffed animals may trigger memories that your loved on may have. This will allow staff to make references to those things when family members are not around.
11. Explain what you are going to do. Give you loved on a short explanation of the things that you may be doing with them.
12. Reorient your loved one to where they are and what happened if they do not remember. It’s okay to tell them they were in an accident and now they are in the hospital. Reassure them that there are people around to help them.
13. Talk to your loved one about things that they may remember. Tell them what’s going on at home, or what you did that day.
14. Later in recovery, bring your loved one back to reality if they are speaking about things that don’t make sense. Help them refocus, but in a non-threatening way. Don’t approach them by accusing them of always talking about the same thing. Instead, quietly try to take their mind off of what they are presently thinking about and direct them to a different thought process.
15. Join a support group. Knowing that there are others in your situation may help you to cope with your situation. Visit with and talk with your pastor or church leaders, and confide in those around you. Share with them your frustrations as well the good things that are being accomplished.
16. Take some time for yourself. You don’t have to be at the hospital everyday and every moment.
17. Stay educated. Read material that is relevant to the situation that you are in. This will help you to identify some of the things you may meet on the road to recovery. It may also help to take away some fears of the unknown.
18. Don’t expect to be able to handle everything by yourself. Be willing to ask for help and realize that you can’t do it alone.
19. Talk to the staff and stay informed so that you know what is going on with the care of your loved one.
References
Behavioral management strategies for working with persons with brain injury. (1998). Chicago, IL: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Academy.
Kneafsy, R., & Gawthorpe, D. (2004). Head injury: Long-term consequences for patients and families and implications for nurses. Retrieved April 24, 2006 from CINAHL
Lapinski, A.M., Lee, P.A., & Remer-Osborn, J. (Eds.). (1999). Brain injury: Educational guide for patient and families following brain injury. Chicago, IL: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Wesley M. & Suzanne S. Dixon Education and Training Center.
Orto, A.E.D. (2000). Brain injury and the family. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC.
Strum, C.D., Forget, T.R., & Sturm, J.L. (1998). Head injury: Information and answers to commonly asked questions: Family’s guide to coping. St. Louis, MO: Quality Medical
TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Palos Heights, IL 60463
From the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, LIFE Center. Reprinted with permission. http://lifecenter.ric.org.
