Individuals with traumatic brain injury may experience difficulties with attention and memory, which may be noticeable in daily life. For instance, they may forget about appointments and/ or may not bring essential items with them when leaving the house (e.g. wallet), etc.
Thus, as a family member and/or caregiver, it is important to support individuals with brain injury and help them implement strategies to increase daily functioning and their level of independence.
Memory Strategies may include:
Patients who have word finding difficulties may benefit from the following word retrieval strategies:
Thus, as a family member and/or caregiver, it is important to support individuals with brain injury and help them implement strategies to increase daily functioning and their level of independence.
Memory Strategies may include:
- a simple routine to help minimize stress
- forecast deviations from the routine and communicate them to the patient
- try using a small dry erase board as a message center. Place in area person sits in frequently (e.g., computer room). Write today’s pertinent messages on it, such as "doctor's appointment at 1:00 today” and/ or check patient's daily planner to ensure that all of the important message/ appointments are listed on it
- keep regularly used items in their place so they can be easily located by the patient
Patients who have word finding difficulties may benefit from the following word retrieval strategies:
- VERBAL DESCRIPTION- Describe the message or object you are trying to communicate. What color, size, shape is it? What is it used for? What can you associate it with? Tell the listener as much as you can.
- SYNONYMS- Use a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning.
- ANTONYMS- Use a word that is the opposite in meaning of the word you are trying to communicate.
- GESTURES- A visible movement of any part of the body, without accompanying speech, that effectively communicates an idea, meaning, emotion, or function.
- FUNCTION- Tell the listener what the specific object/item does or what it is used for.
- WRITING/DRAWING- Writing with a pencil on paper or with your finger on the table may help you communicate your message. or point.