Try: Try to change the topic or focus of interest to something else try engaging cr in a physical task if he or she is verbally stuck on a topic try engaging cr in a conversation or thinking task if he or she is physically stuck on a task

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date

Keywords: Repetitive repeats obsesses one track mind single minded

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try developing a stop and think signal to let cr know that he she is saying something inappropriate try to change the topic or focus of interest to something else talk to cr about what are and are not acceptable ways to act in public try to explain to cr that having sexual feelings is normal sexual behavior however is a private matter try to find a way for cr to express his her sexual needs in the privacy of his her room

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Sexuality Intimacy, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date available at www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org

Keywords: Inappropriate sexual behavior public masturbation

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Explain to the cr that some of his or her non-verbal communication may be inappropriate for specific social situations provide specific examples of this such as looking around instead of paying attention to the person who is talking shrugging shoulders to indicate i don’t care standing too close to someone and invading personal space slapping the other person on the back or trying to high five him or her unwanted hugging and kissing politely ask the cr to stand closer or further away politely ask cr to stop any distracting motions talk to cr about how to act in certain situations before he or she is in those situations role play the right way to behave in a particular social setting provide the cr with coaching regarding the right amount of eye contact to keep with other individuals tell cr you are confused by the difference in his or her body language and spoken message briefly explain what you have seen and heard explain to the cr that you are uncomfortable with this because you really don’t know how he or she feels and the true meaning of what is being communicated encourage the cr to focus on what is being said along with body language and how it is said provide coaching feedback and encouragement so the cr can make positive changes praise all improvements decide on a signal that you can give to the cr when he or she is engaging in problematic non-verbal communication and behavior that way the cr may be able to make adjustments on the fly in actual social situations

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date

Keywords: Nonverbal communication eye contact inappropriate behavior

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Approach the cr calmly and allow yourself to take a break when necessary try to consistently react to certain behaviors in a certain way often a consistent approach helps to manage difficult behaviors develop a plan for the cr to manage frustration or anger this might mean taking a walk or going to another room and turning on the television this can be a good signal to others in the family that the cr needs to be alone for awhile encourage cr to recognize when he she is becoming angry or frustrated help him her learn to ask for a break or some space to calm down prepare cr for challenging situations when possible simplify tasks and provide a consistent structured environment try to avoid surprises cr may react better when he she is prepared and can anticipate a change in plans rehearse and role play specific situations to boost cr’s confidence in managing life outside the home reinforce all of cr’s efforts to use effective anger management strategies

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date

Keywords: Outbursts anger challenging behavior frustrated annoyed agitated

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Develop a special stop and think signal that you can use to alert the cr when he or she is doing or saying something inappropriate for example you could try raising your finger or saying a special word suggest that cr stop and think slow down and consider other options suggest a different activity or topic of conversation discuss the consequences of out of control behavior in private with the cr after the fact praise and reward cr for appropriate behaviors avoid comparing past and present behaviors this may confuse the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Social, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date

Keywords: Impulse control impulsive self control inappropriate behavior embarrassing public behavior challenging behavior

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try to politely interrupt cr and ask him her for a chance to speak tell cr you would like to say something try asking cr to please make it brief try coming up with a hand signal which indicates to cr that he she may be monopolizing the conversation try to gently alert him her to the fact that the topic change was too abrupt or that he she has interrupted and will be given a chance to say his her piece in a moment try to use positive reinforcement for all attempts at listening rather than talking cr may be interrupting because he she is lost in the conversation try to encourage him her to let you know if he she doesn’t understand what is being said

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Or say it out loud this will help cr use other senses to increase comprehension try to emphasize important information in the text

References: traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date available at www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org

Keywords: Interrupts conversation communication challenging behavior annoying

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Use a cane or walker for added stability wear rubber-soled shoes for traction walk on grass when sidewalks are slippery in winter carry salt or kitty litter to sprinkle on slippery sidewalks be careful on highly polished floors that become slick and dangerous when wet use plastic or carpet runners when possible keep rooms free of clutter especially on floors keep floor surfaces smooth but not slippery wear supportive low-heeled shoes even at home avoid walking in socks stockings or slippers be sure carpets and area rugs have skid-proof backing or are tacked to the floor be sure stairwells are well lit and that stairs have handrails on both sides install grab bars on bathroom walls near the tub shower and toilet use a rubber bath mat in the shower or tub keep a flashlight with fresh batteries beside your bed if using a step stool for hard-to-reach areas use a sturdy one with a handrail and wide steps add ceiling fixtures to rooms lit by lamps consider purchasing a cordless phone so that you don’t have to rush to answer it or so that you can call for help if you do fall

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Webmd com

Keywords: Preventing falls

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try not to overreact or confront cr; respond calmly and firmly; distract and redirect cr’s attention to something else try no to give mixed sexual messages-even in jest try to distract cr while you are performing personal care activities try checking room temperature ensure cr’s toileting needs are met monitor cr to rule out medical problems try to meet cr’s basic need for touch and warmth offer cr soothing objects hand or back massage try to remove cr from inappropriate places by establishing a routine that will keep cr busy

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Personal, Sexuality Intimacy, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: If it is pertinent if he she repeats the information it is best not to say anything about it cr may only feel embarrassed and frustrated unnecessarily if cr hears better when others talk louder this may mean cr has a hearing loss try suggesting to cr that he she get a hearing aid if cr already has one check the batteries and make sure the hearing aid is fitted right in cr’s ear

References: basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Inappropriate behavior impulsive sexual behavior sexual advances public masturbation impulse control

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try putting tape over the light switch so cr can’t turn it on off if the light switch is turned on off with a pull string try putting the string higher so cr can’t reach it you can use a clothes hanger to turn it on when you need to but make sure cr doesn’t see you do that also keep the clothes hanger in the closet so cr doesn’t have easy access to it

Materials: Tape clothes hanger

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: alz proofing the house an alzheimer alzheimer’s house by web contributor no date available at www lifetips com

Keywords: Light switches odd behavior

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try to groove cr into a path a routine that lets him her do what he she wants to do but leaves other things safetly untouched outside ofhis herr path for example create a special nook or corner on the kitchen counter that has cr’s stuff maybe a box of biscuits or snacks keeps crcoming back to rummage there this could keep them away from poking around in other cabinets if cr has a favorite chair in the living room that that’s exclusively his hers try to keep some newspapers magazines or knitting supplies there this gives cr a place to go to when bored rather than wandering to other parts of the house

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: alz proofing the house an alzheimer alzheimer’s house by web contributor no date available at www lifetips com

Keywords: Rummages gets into things bothers things home safety bored poking around pokes around

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed