Try: Rest may help but don’t stay in bed more than a day or two after an injury this can make matter worse if your pain is bad and you need to lie down to get comfortable be sure to get up every so often and move this can relieve stiffness and pain which will help you sleep better at night a warm shower or bath may help relax stiff muscles before bedtime with a specific injury try an ice pack for about 20 minutes when first lying down and every so often throughout the day ice may help reduce the pain limit caffeine and alcohol intake especially in the evening to help with sleep quality don’t overeat before bed make sure you don’t eat a large meal before going to sleep which can interfere with sleep and cause digestive problems plan meals before time to avoid late night eating try relaxation techniques to calm your body before bed if your back hurts worse at night no matter how you try to sleep tell a doctor it could be a sign of a more serious problem

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Webmd com

Keywords: Back pain sleep

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

Try: Try to get cr to focus on one task at a time be sure you have cr’s attention before beginning a discussion or task try to reduce clutter at home and in cr’s work environment try to perform tasks in a quiet environment try to remove distractions and noises that you don’t need as best as possible use timers watches pdas or other devices and checklists in a calendar memory notebook to help cr complete tasks try to refocus attention to the task at hand try to expect cr to have a short attention span schedule rest breaks and or stop an activity when you notice cr’s attention drifting when signs of distraction arise give cr a rest break for example you could say let’s do this for another 5 minutes and then take a 15 minute break try to present verbal or visual

Materials: Timers watches pdas or other devices calendar or notebook

Categories: Sage, Topic, 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: In limited amounts

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: Attention span tasks focus focussing

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

Try: Try to stay calm avoid trying to hold cr down or trying to stop his her movements try loosening cr’s tie or anything around his her neck that makes breathing hard to do try removing anything hard or sharp from the surrounding area try putting something flat and soft under cr’s head try to turn cr gently onto one side this helps keep his her airway clear avoid trying to force cr’s mouth open stay with cr until the seizure ends call 911 if cr experiences difficulty breathing during or after a seizure seizure lasts more than five minutes

Materials: Something flat and soft

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

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: Seizure jerking

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

Try: If cr is on a special diet with restricted fluids and foods learn what foods are allowed learn how to assist cr to drink and eat if special strategies are needed for example eat slowly chin tuck during swallow double swallow follow every bite of food with fluid short term changes in appetite are common try not to worry about early weight loss most often the weight is regained once cr learns proper eating drinking techniques or schedules try to monitor cr’s body weight in a notebook and learn what his her ideal weight range is try to monitor appetite changes these may be a sign of depression general emotional distress medication problems or other medical conditions try to learn as much as you can about dietary intake so you can review monitor cr’s regularly and learn more about meal preparation and a balanced diet if cr has trouble tasting or smelling food investigate ways to use spices and flavorings to perk up the taste of food if cr is experiencing weight gain due to lack of physical activity or boredom try to encourage cr to remain physically active and engaged in outside activities establish set meal times discourage overeating or too many snacks try to encourage cr to be involved as able in grocery shopping and meal planning preparation try writing meal times in a notebook or planner check off meals when finished

Materials: Resources on balanced diets food spices and flavorings pen and notebook or daily planner

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Smelling, So-So Smelling, Poor Smelling, Taste, So-So Taste, Poor Taste

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

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: Weight gain weight loss appetite swallowing overeating

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

Try: Try to determine cr’s specific visual and or visual spatial problems try standing on one side of cr and place objects on the side left or right that cr seems to be having blind spots and encourage cr to look to that side this is called visual cueing try to remind cr to frequently look around the environment especially toward the affected side this is called visual scanning try to use visual cues for example a dark line on one side of a page to encourage visual scanning of the entire page try to arrange cr’s house to make tasks easier for example have items to accomplish a task organized in one place try to show cr around new places several times avoid sending him her to new places alone try to limit clutter in the house try not to move items around try to remind cr to use handrails when available try to give cr gentle reminders that he she is standing too close or far away during social encounters use your best judgement in deciding whether or not it is safe for cr to drive you may want to ask cr to get some

Materials: Black marker blank paper internet resources on how to conduct a driving test

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

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: Visual spatial depth perception vision eye eyes wayfinding driving

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

Try: Encourage cr to wear an eye patch or special glasses if ordered for double vision ask cr to avoid alcohol it may increase sensitivity to light and noise make sure it is safe for cr to drive if he she is having a change in vision encourage cr to use hearing aids if needed regularly check batteries for good working order look up some tips for eating if taste and smell are lost or altered make sure cr has a working smoke alarm in the house if his her sense of smell has been lost try to be patient with cr sensory changes can be very difficult emotionally and physically to deal with sometimes it will require major lifestyle changes that will take time for cr to get use to and accept

Materials: Working smoke alarm extra hearing aid batteries

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing, Smelling, So-So Smelling, Poor Smelling, Taste, So-So Taste, Poor Taste, Touch, So-So Touch, Poor Touch

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

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: Senses vision hearing taste smell seeing hearing tasting smelling

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

Try: Encourage cr to do regular stretching exercises try to find some stretching exercise books that have diagrams and tape the disgrams on the wall to help cr make sure he she is performing them correctly try doing the exercises with cr to make it more fun if splints are used learn how to apply them find out how long they are to be worn each day monitor your family member’s skin for pressure points from the splints watch out for areas of redness and breakdown keep a written record of cr’s spsms to monitor whether they are getting worse better and when they usually occur

Materials: Stretching exercise material with how to diagrams paper and pen

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

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: Muscle spasms involuntary movements stretching

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

Try: Try to learn cr’s prescribed exercises so you can help him her if necessary cr may also feel more motivated with an exercise partner try to realize that cr may take longer to move around allow extra time to get places encourage cr to use prescribed assistive devices such as a walker or cane they help cr stay safe and independent you may notice decreased sensation in affected limbs monitor cr’s skin for pressure points from splints look for areas of redness and breakdown make sure cr follows any recommended sleeping positions that are best for the affected limb s

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

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: Muscle weakness paralysis hemiparesis hemiplegia

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

Try: Try to help cr learn techniques for bladder training which include a specific fluid schedule limiting fluids in the evening and timed attempts to empty the bladder help cr adhere to these techniques and interventions try to help cr learn techniques for bowel training which include scheduled attempts a high fiber diet adequate fluids physical activity and eating meals at regular times help cr to adhere to these techniques and interventions monitor cr for skin breakdown

Materials: Adult diapers disposable catheters

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

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: Incontinence fecal bowel bladder urinary urine

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

Try: Encourage proper use of aids such as walkers or canes if prescribed in all settings community and home remove throw rugs from cr’s home learn how to assist cr while he she is sitting or walking these techniques are called transfer or transferring

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

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: Unsteady walking balance falls

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