What is a TBI?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating condition that can have a tremendous impact on just about every aspect of one’s life. However, those who suffer from TBIs aren’t the only ones to be affected by the injury. TBIs can also greatly impact the lives of the victim’s loved ones, who often struggle to know how to properly assist them in moving forward.

Each year millions of Americans suffer a TBI, with even more living with related disabilities. This means that there are millions of loved ones who want to know how to help.

TBIs can result in a wide variety of issues. Such issues include:

● Memory loss;

● Speech difficulties;

● Full or partial paralysis;

● Muscle issues;

● Weakness;

● Seizures;

● Personality changes;

● Difficulty controlling emotions;

● Increased irritability; and

● Depression.

But while each of these issues can be overwhelming, there are still things that you can do to improve the life of your loved one suffering from a TBI.

1. Give them some familiar items.

New locations can be an adjustment for anyone, but when someone has suffered a TBI an unfamiliar location can be downright scary. For this reason it’s a good idea to provide them with an item with which they are familiar or even some of their favorite foods. Anything that you can do to help diminish their anxiety and feel more comfortable in their temporary surroundings is beneficial. This includes having you around them.

2. Set a schedule – and stick to it.

When someone suffers a TBI, they must deal with a lot of changes: physical, mental, and emotional. Since change can be quite scary it can be really helpful to guide them using structure and a sense of normalcy. A schedule can be really helpful. You may wish to do the following:

● Continue to be who you were towards them prior to the accident – do not act differently.

● Put together a photo book or something similar and label information about the people within it. This can help to jog their memory.

● Make sure to put objects that they use regularly within their reach as this allows them to be a bit more independent.

● Invite them to engage in various daily activities with you. This can help to get them out and involved in things so as help with potential depression and isolation.

3. Help them to get – and stay – organized.

When someone suffers a TBI, they often lose a lot of their memory. Understandably, this can result in severe frustration since they are often unable to remember where every day objects are located as well as when they have a doctor’s appointment. This is why it can be so beneficial for you to help them to become organized and stay that way. There are many different ways in which you can help someone to be more organized, such as:

● Assisting them with the creation of lists

● Remaining patient and slowly explaining things to them

● Placing labels on things – especially those that are commonly used

● Aiding them by helping them to remember certain things (e.g. setting a calendar reminder on their phone)

4. Help to run errands on their behalf.

It can take a lot of physical and emotional prowess to battle a TBI. In turn this can make even the simplest of activities feel really difficult. To help your loved one to focus on healing, it may be helpful for you to offer to run errands for them such as grocery shopping or getting their medication from the pharmacy. In order to prevent them from feeling dependent upon you, it’s a good idea to offer your help rather than waiting for them to ask for it.

5. Take them out and about.

It’s not uncommon for those who have suffered a TBI to want nothing more than to stay in and do nothing. However, this can often be the worst thing they can do as isolation commonly breeds depression. For this reason it can be extremely helpful to encourage them to often get out and do something with you – even if only for a little while. By being around others, it can help those who suffered a TBI to feel hopeful and to lift their spirits. However, be sure to stay away from any places that can be overwhelming or triggering.

There’s no doubt that TBIs impact those who have suffered them as well as their loved ones. While we may never truly know what they are going through, the best thing that you can do is to remain patient and supportive of them. Your presence and constant support can help them to adjust to all the changes that are occurring.

While nothing can take back the injury that your loved one has suffered, a Tennessee personal injury attorney can help to fight for the compensation that they deserve. This can help them – and you – to move forward with your life as successfully as possible.

Robert BatesRobert is a Kingsport trial lawyer who handles car, truck and motorcycle wreck cases across the Tri-Cities. Every client gets his cell number.