Kathy Greenberg, Ph.D.

Always associate medication with something (e.g., mealtime, bed time). Take it at the same lime. For convenience buy a plastic medicine chest at the drug stove, then, you can organize it for a whole week. If you have to take medicine during the day, plan ahead if you are going to be out. Pack it in advance in a small pill case and take it with you. Always, be aware of what you can and cannot do with certain medicines and their interactions. For example, if you are on a blood thinner stay away from aspirin, with other medicines you may not be allowed any alcohol. If you, or a family member have any questions about medications ask the pharmacist. Most of the time they are easier to get in touch with than physicians and have more time to answer questions.

When you get discharged, have a plan (routine). Plan something to do every day, other than sitting in front of the television or home care or outpatient therapy. Every person case is different, but find something. On the days when you do not have therapy, do some exercises on your own. Make physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy part of the schedule. It is difficult to remember everything. Ask the therapist to help you make a list. Keep the list where you can not miss seeing it. This will serve as a reminder. Put everything you use often at eye level where you can easily reach it. If you use a walker or cane, remove all loose rugs or have someone tack them down to the floor. Make sure (with the help of family or home attendants) that there is enough space for you to move around. Never pull on furniture when moving or getting up. You can never tell how stable it is. This will help avoid fall or injury.

When you are home, be creative in finding new ways to accomplish tasks that you cannot do now. If you cannot reach something, you may be able to use a broomstick. Remember, do not try to reaching anything with glass. If you cannot open a jar, try plastic kitchen gloves. A good suggestion would be for you or a family member to sit down with your occupational therapist and go through their catalogs, and see what you may need. They can order it (e.g., buttonhooks, elastic shoelaces, bars in the shower, etc.). Every case is different. DO NOT attempt to do something you may not be ready for. Always check with your home care or outpatient therapist. Also, if you have been taught by hospital therapists to perform a certain procedure (e.g., standing up in a certain way, dressing in particular way) continue it when you go home. It is a good idea that any family members and home attendants be made aware of this routine. This way, they know how to best assist you.

If you are mobile, but have difficulty with balance, be aware of your environment (e.g., sneakers or a child's toy on the floor are easy targets for tripping over). For example, you may want to put bars in the shower. A wet floor or soap on the floor are very easy targets for getting seriously injured. Remember to do one thing at a time, especially in the kitchen (e.g., if you put up water to boil, stay In the kitchen because It is easy to do something else and forget for a moment and cause a fire).

Every person with a traumatic brain injury will have some degree of short-term memory loss, even if you remember everything from your past (i.e., long term memory). Unfortunately, that is just the way it is. The good news is that there are many things you can do about it. For example, make a calendar, note pad, make little yellow stick pads your best friend. Write down or ask for help if you need it (e.g., appointments, therapy, doctors, social and family events). This strategy guarantees that you will not miss something important. If you have a tendency to lose track of days mark off each day that passes before you go to bed on your kitchen calendar. At home, keep everything organized and in the same place. It is too easy to go crazy looking for something misplaced (e.g., money, keys and eyeglasses). Keep life simple. You do not need to add more pressure or stress than you already have.

Always plan ahead. If you have to depend on ambulate, other forms of social service or family members to get you to and from places, you have to be organized and give advanced notice. If you are a slow walker, or have difficulty with balance, there are several things you could do to make life easier. First if you are on the street, a big shopping mail, or any other place with crowds of people, stay on one side. This way, other people can go ahead of you without a problem. If you want to do something where there will be a crowd (e.g.. movie, airport), plan in advance. Get there early and ask to go in before the crowd. When leaving, wait until everyone is gone. If you know that it will take you longer to do something, be organized and give yourself the extra time.