Try: Try to give cr time to locate the word he she is looking for if cr still cannot locate the word after some time try to guess at what he she might mean or ask him her to write it down try to be patient it can be very frustrating for cr when he she knows what he she wants to say but cannot locate the right word or phrase try to encourage cr to use another word that is close in meaning try suggesting that cr use many words or a description instead of using a single word

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Social, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: Speaking communicating memory loss forgets words

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

Try: Guide cr by asking questions for example try asking cr questions that will help him her find a solution such as what could you do to help yourself next time avoid asking cr questions that do not help solve the problem such as why did you do that try giving cr verbal or nonverbal cues – an example of a verbal cue is to say stop and think what else could you do an example of a nonverbal cue is pausing or not acting immediately to help cr recognize the need to use a strategy such as stop and think try using a signal you have agreed upon ahead of time such as a raised finger or a head nod

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: Memory loss forgetful learning remembering verbal cues cueing nonverbal cues

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

Try: Try writing the steps down on paper or a large index card here is an example of a cue card for helping cr slow his her mind down and think # slow down pause stop and think # take my time # don’t assume # check things off as i go along # ask questions to make sure i understand # repeat back what i heard # take notes # underline important

Materials: Pen and paper or large index cards

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, 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: # double check my work # write down information in my own words # ask myself do i want to be quick or accurate # when i get bored – stretch take a short break walk around # when i get angry – doodle take a break and then come back # decide on a menu # count number of people eating # look at the needed ingredients # look in the pantry for what you have # prepare shopping list and shop # follow recipe instructions and organize time # serve and eat meal # clean up

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: Decision making mind races disorganized memory loss forgetful forgets disoriented disorientation memory loss cognition

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

Try: Encourage cr to identify the problem if the problem has many parts help cr break it down into one problem at a time help cr brainstorm solutions think of as many possibilities as you can help cr evaluate the alternatives consider the pros and cons of each possibility encourage cr to choose a solution the one that seems to fit best for him her suggest that cr try the solution out encourage cr to evaluate the solution if it didn’t work encourage him her to try another solution until he she finds the one that works

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: # double check my work # write down information in my own words # ask myself do i want to be quick or accurate # when i get bored – stretch take a short break walk around # when i get angry – doodle take a break and then come back # decide on a menu # count number of people eating # look at the needed ingredients # look in the pantry for what you have # prepare shopping list and shop # follow recipe instructions and organize time # serve and eat meal # clean up

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: Problem solving decision making disoriented disorganized

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

Try: Try to avoid having cr make decisions when tired hungry or under stress try to help cr to weigh options and consequences of a decision try giving cr time to make a decision be patient and talk him her through the possible options try to limit the number of possible choices two or three choices is best too many are often overwhelming and can increase indecisiveness try to avoid forcing cr to make last minute decisions try practice identifying a problem and following through with evaluating the options

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, 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: Or activity has the highest priority

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: Problem solving decision making reasoning thinking judgement

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

Try: Try to avoid accusing cr of lying try to gently help cr become aware that his her memory is not accurate

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, 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: Or activity has the highest priority

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: Memory confabulation

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

Try: Try beginning with small realistic tasks try to work with cr to get organized at home for example keep a family calendar posted on a wall use reminder notes and cue cards try to have a place for everything and keep everything in its place in particular keep cr’s belongings in certain places try turning off the radio tv or other distractions when tasks need to be done try using memory aids such as calendars and notebooks to plan write down and check off tasks when done try using a tote bag or backpack to organize needed items for the day try to work with cr to decide which

Materials: Pen wall calendar index cards sticky notes notebook pad tote bag or backpack

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, 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: Or activity has the highest priority

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: Organizing planning problem siolving tasks focus focussing

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

Try: Try keeping cr oriented for example try putting calendars clocks family pictures and or a sign about where he she is and what has happened in his her room a list of health care team members and what each one does may also be useful try using a notebook to plan for and log events ask cr to refer to it for details of daily events try frequently reminding cr of correct details of past and present events try limiting changes and provide structure by starting cr on a daily routine

Materials: Clock family pictures pen paper notebook

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, 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: On the internet about conducting a driving test and then take cr out for an unofficial test

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: Memory loss forgets forgetful fog foggy cognitive cognition

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

Try: Try to slow down and simplify

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: Try breaking complex tasks and activities down into smaller steps try to allow cr extra time to respond to questions and to comprehend and learn new information try to avoid situations that are overstimulating for example noise crowds try suggesting a different activity or topic of conversation to help cr remain on task trty to encourage cr to ask others to slow down and repeat information

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: Information thinking learning cognition

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

Try: Try guiding cr to complete the task the right way for example place your hand over cr’s hand and move it through the correct motions to perform a specific task try redirecting cr to perform other common tasks in the correct order one step at a time write down instructions for your service member veteran try posting a daily routine or schedule for hygiene and other daily tasks for example dressing and write the routine down in cr’s calendar memory notebook

Materials: Pen and paper notebook or daily planner calender

Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, 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: On the internet about conducting a driving test and then take cr out for an unofficial test

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: Gross motor coordination fine motor coordination tasks apraxia

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