GET READY!

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          If your loved one comes home to be under your care, ensure that you are aware of all underlying medical conditions. Depending on which part (or parts) of the brain was (were) damaged, your loved one may experience many medical issues. Educate yourself on these conditions to ensure the safety of your loved one. (See Resources Tab for more information.) Also educate yourself with regard to all of the equipment your loved one will be sent home with and learn how to use it. If your loved one is at home, it is important that he/she has their own space for quiet time, rest, and working one-on-one with therapists as well as you. Limit over-stimulation. As shared, in the beginning your loved one will experience anxiety, as well as  exhibit irrational and unsafe behavior. Your patient is not doing this on purpose, it is part of the natural process of rehabilitation. This time can be very difficult if you are a caregiver. Prepare yourself for sleepless nights, making tough choices (you may need to restrain your loved one), and lots of personal contact to keep your loved one safe. For example: Our loved one became so agitated that it was necessary to restrain his hands to prevent removal of his feeding tube and wound patches or wound pump (bedsore). Below I will list equipment you may need. Please download the information document that has much more information to give you more specific information.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDS!

          Ensure that you know of all medications that your loved one needs to take. Know dosages and intervals of use. Set up a schedule, if you need to, so everyone in the family is on the same page. (See Resources.)

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EQUIPMENT YOU MAY NEED!

          Ensure that you know how to use all of the medical supplies and equipment that your loved one needs. (For example: Learn how to attach catheters for incontinence; Cleaning of feeding tubes and how to administer liquid food.).