Caregiver Mistakes for Stroke and TBI Survivors

Caregivers often help out of affection or concern, but this can be too much for the survivor. When you consistently speak for someone, dress, and feed someone who could do these tasks with more assistance or time, you prevent necessary rewiring of the brain. The brain has to rebuild pathways called neuroplasticity.

For example, if a survivor is tortuously buttoning a shirt, the tendency might be to do it for the survivor, but providing equipment like button hooks or allowing extra minutes sustains recovery better than taking charge.

Rehabilitation Routines:

Recovery from brain injuries requires consistent repetition. When home exercises recommended by therapists are overlooked, progress diminishes or eventually stops completely. Combine a daily routine that uses therapy exercises normal habits.

For example, perform hand exercises while watching TV or balance exercises during getting up or sitting down. Use progress notes to keep that survivor motivated, as improvements are often slow-going and obvious to forget when observed on an every-day basis.

Ignoring Psychological Support:

Zeroing in on physical recovery while ignoring depression, anxiety, and grief is a serious oversight. About 40 to 50 percent of stroke survivors acquire depression, which can significantly delay or stop recovery if untreated.

Look out for ominous signs like sleep changes, loss of interest, or withdrawal in wanting rehabilitation. Counseling, support groups, and sometimes medication can be necessary elements toward recovery.

Misunderstanding Behavioral Outbursts:

Many caregivers take emotional or personality changes, or inappropriate behavior to heart, when these are symptoms of the brain injury. A previously calm-mannered individual might become upset or use foul language because of brain damage. Comprehending the neurological reason helps caregivers acknowledge more productively and which lowers emotional stress.

Non-adequate Safety Changes:

Ignoring the modifications of the home lead to likely falls and injuries. Common oversights include:

• Lack of grab bars in the bathroom
• Not addressing cognitive safety issues like turning off a stove
• Failing to remember medications that affects safety
• Not removing trip hazards like area rugs
• Inadequate lighting, especially on stairs and at night

An inspection with an occupational therapist can identify known hazards for your home.

Establishing Impractical Predictions:

Recovery timelines vary tremendously, partially on injury severeness, location, and age. Some caregivers expect a fast recovery, and are disappointed when progress slows down. Working with healthcare providers will set achievable short-term goals and help aid motivation without creating unnecessary anxiety.

Skipping Medication Doses:

Brain injury and stroke survivors often take various medications on multiple schedules. Skipping doses or the wrong time to take those medications can lead to complications. Using pill organizers or smartphone reminders, for example, can help protect when-to-take-what. 

Overlooking Nutrition Needs:

Many survivors have swallowing difficulties called dysphagia that require help to prevent aspirational pneumonia. Others have changed eating habits to aid brain recovery or manage secondary conditions like diabetes. Working with a dietitian to develop often new meal plans, learning proper food consistency, and providing hydration are important conditions of care frequently overlooked.