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What Is It?
As a result of a brain injury, a person may have a variety of thinking
problems. Research has shown that even a short loss of consciousness can
lead to thinking problems.
Brain injuries can be caused by many events, but commonly from car, motorcycle
or snowmobile accidents, falls, or assaults. Another type of brain injury
involves a lack of oxygen to the brain, or anoxia. This kind of injury
may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or decreased oxygen to the
brain during a heart attack.
Some of the cognitive changes might include
the following (with related behaviors):
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Distractibility, difficulty completing
work
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Getting lost, trouble following schedules
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Forgetting to take medication, forgetting
what task they are doing
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Trouble focusing, staying on
task. May not keep self safe (e.g. moves too quickly)
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Difficulty planning activities, solving
problems
- Cannot
get things done on time, difficulty keep up with others, inability to
express self efficiently
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Difficulty accepting changes in activities,
problems with reasoning and learning new things
- Doesn't
recognize changes, has difficulty accepting accommodations needed
Treatment at HCMC is provided by an interdisciplinary team to best serve
the individual recovering from a brain injury. The team includes occupational
therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, neuropsychologists,
therapeutic recreation specialists and nurses. Social workers, dieticians,
chaplains and psychologists are also involved in each case. Treatment
is recommended following a brain injury to teach new ways of doing things,
help improve function, and reduce the frustration these changes may cause.
The speech-language pathologist evaluates skills and provides treatments
as needed by using testing tools to decide which areas are affected. Cognitive
areas like attention, memory, abstract verbal and nonverbal reasoning,
problem solving, learning new information and organization are treated.
Treatment involves strengthening problem areas and learning strategies
to make up for any lasting difficulties.
At HCMC, evaluation and treatment usually begin after the person regains
consciousness and/or is out of the coma stage and may continue for several
weeks. The therapists will see the patient while still in the acute part
of the hospital. The patient can continue to receive intensive therapy
at HCMC through the Knapp Rehabilitation Center as an inpatient and as
an outpatient through the Multidisciplinary Outpatient Service Program.
The Knapp Rehab Day Hospital Program is a wonderful transition for some
patients when they leave the inpatient unit but need more structure and
therapy than is available through outpatient services. Follow-up of medical
and rehabilitation needs is completed through the Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Clinic for a year or more after the brain injury.
Here's a checklist that may be helpful if you know someone recovering
from a brain injury:
Early In The Recovery:
- Reduce stress
- Reduce distractions, noises in the room
- Limit the number of visitors at a time and the length of the visit
- Review time and place
information to help them become oriented
- Be patient, he or she may be confused and act very
different than normal
- When talking, keep your sentences shorter but don't talk down to the
person
- Keep your voice at a conversational volume
- Bring photographs of family and friends
- Don't expect the person to remember what is happening
As
Recovery Continues:
- Encourage him or her to go to therapies
- Help with any homework if needed
- Give praise when person makes accomplishments
- Review the day to help him or her remember details
- Provide supervision as needed (some people will need someone to help
with daily activities and keep him/her safe; others will need more distant
help)
- Give emotional support during the adjustment to home
- Help with money management, job retraining, medications as needed
- Take care of your self--ask for help
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