Tips for living with a traumatic brain injury

Brain injuries can drastically change a person’s life, which is why learning how to improve safety and participation after the accident is important.

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in Florida due to falls, car crashes and assaults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 138 people die each day from injuries including a brain injury. While a TBI can lead to death, many people survive. Someone living with a head wound may lose vision, hearing, movement or memory, which can make everyday life challenging.

Increase safety

After trauma that affects the head, safety may be a bigger concern for individuals. For example, someone whose memory was affected may not know who to call should an emergency take place. A person could also forget how to properly use appliances, such as ovens, blenders and microwaves. In order to address these safety concerns, it may be best for the injured person to live with a family member or caretaker until a routine is formed. Safety can also be increased in ways, such as the following:

• Installing safety bars in bathrooms and near beds.
• Using public transportation rather than driving.
• Working with an occupational therapist to re-learn how to operate kitchen appliances.
• Leaving reminders about daily tasks, such as to lock the door when leaving or turn off the stove when done cooking, around the house.
• Incorporating a wearable emergency alert system for those patients living alone.

If safety is not properly considered after a brain injury caused by a trauma, there is a greater chance that the person will receive another injury.

Improve participation

A person’s personality can also be affected by a wound to the brain. For this reason, it can be hard for someone with a TBI to participate in activities that use to be a normal part of life. It can be helpful for the affected person to think about what he or she still enjoys to do, and try to incorporate that into his or her life. For example, if a person enjoys drawing, he or she may want to take art classes. While it may be difficult, improving participation is an important part of living with a TBI.

After the accident, a person may try to transition back in to a normal routine of attending school or going to work if possible. Someone with a TBI may need to work with a counselor at school in order to figure out the activities he or she is good at. An adult, on the other hand, may need to try to find a new job if his or her old one is too challenging.

When an injury occurs in Florida that affects a person’s brain, it can be life altering. Working with a knowledgeable attorney may prove to be beneficial.