Home Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury can lead to damage to the brain cells. It mostly occurs due to a strong blow to the head. An estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain TBI each year and the risks remain the highest among young adults and people above 75 years, according to an article by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advanced studies at macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical and molecular levels report that traumatic brain injury might result in both physical and emotional consequences.
There are changes in synaptic plasticity that result in impaired cognition. The patient might experience concentration issues, agitation and anxiety. Convulsions, loss of consciousness, ringing in the ears and constant dizziness are potential physical side-effects. Home care is the best route to recovery after being discharged from the hospital. Below are a few ways it can be helpful.
* Personalized Care *
It is possible to create an individualized plan as per unique needs of the person. You can get in touch with skilled and highly qualified nurses who can enhance the healing process. Experienced nurses can also suggest occupational therapy to help patients recover from TBI, according to Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNAHG). They can tailor a proper routine, including bedtime, minimal screen-time and exercise hours. All of these, in a comfortable home-based setting, can optimize the quality of life. The nurses can adopt a custom-made patient-centric approach to address all the challenges accurately.
* Psychiatric Care *
Shortened attention span, difficulty in information processing, impaired decision making, memory loss and problems in expressing thoughts are cognitive symptoms of brain damage, according to an article on WebMD. These usually occur when the brain experiences major inflammation or a lack of blood flow. Depression is also roughly 8 times more common in the initial stages of TBI than in the general population.
These mental health issues can be treated with physical, behavioral, exposure and interpersonal therapies. They are best done in a safe and stress-free home environment. Highly trained and skilled nurses from the top home-based care facilities closely monitor the patients. The rehabilitation provided mostly depends on what functionality has been lost; regaining mobility and speech are the most common goals, according to an article by Healthline. They check for symptoms like confusion or distraction and work to minimize these conditions. Immediate medical attention is also arranged in case the symptoms start to exacerbate.
* Care From Family Members *
The family plays a major role in the recovery process. Having loved ones around induces a feeling of emotional and visual satisfaction. Anterograde amnesia is common when the person experiences a strong blow to the head, resulting in brain trauma, according to an article on Medical News Today. Anyone recovering from this condition can benefit from a home setting that triggers lost connections. The patient is also more willing to make an effort and comply with the medical requirements while at home.
Temper outbursts, irritability and anxiety are common after a brain injury. Qualified nurses can ensure proper medication and care. Home care is also generally less overwhelming and might speed up the rehabilitation process.
