• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Caregiver Corner: Combating the Ripple Effect Through Communication

Fight hurt feelings by talking it out

in Caregiver, Communication, Family, Survivor
September 23, 2022
0
Caregiver Corner: Combating the Ripple Effect Through Communication

By Ian Hebeisen

My mom recently described what she called “a ripple effect” resulting from her traumatic brain injury. Upon sustaining the TBI, it began affecting her life in ripples, starting at home and spreading outward. It affected life with her family and friends, then work, and so on. “It spread throughout every aspect of my life,” said Mom.

At home, daily tasks she could do before the accident suddenly became extremely difficult. My brothers and I would accommodate for her, and adapt the things we did that triggered her – things like monitoring our music or warning her of loud noises in movies. Whenever she needed assistance, she would tell us and we would come and help.

With her friends, she would try to explain her condition, but the message wouldn’t always get through to them. Some of her friends even pulled the “I’m struggling too” card. This didn’t show solidarity, but actually ended up belittling Mom since it discredited her experience.

As her tasks at home grew difficult, so too did her work responsibilities. She quit her original job since it proved too taxing, and managed to land a job with a boss willing to adapt the position to meet her specific needs. But in time, this job became draining too. “I needed to choose between investing my energy into work or my home life,” said Mom.

What helped in every one of these situations? Communication. A clear line of communication will ease complications in any relationship. At home, Mom clearly communicated her needs, allowing my brothers and me to swoop in and offer assistance. She expressed her struggles to her friends, and did her best to help them understand her situation. And when Mom needed to adjust her work to improve her quality of life, her boss listened and willingly accommodated her needs.

Listening is an important yet often overlooked aspect of caregiving. Something as simple as offering an open ear can make a world of difference. Pay attention to what ails your loved one, and if they want help finding solutions, take the time to sit and brainstorm with them. Otherwise, just letting someone vent about their situation or celebrate a small victory goes a long way. Whenever Mom and I drive around, I’ll ask her how she’s doing, and after she’s finished talking, she always ends the conversation with “thanks for listening to me”.

Communication goes both ways. If you’re a caregiver for a loved one and notice something may be a trigger, let them know. Your perspective matters too – don’t be afraid to offer your insights in a respectful manner. Keep your own needs in check as well. Know your boundaries, and communicate them to your loved one as soon as possible. It’s much easier to create boundaries early then to try and adjust them later.

For those of you living with TBIs, find people in your life willing to listen and problem solve with you. Be open and honest about your experiences; this will allow people to empathize with your challenges.  Certain Facebook groups dedicated to life with TBIs offer platforms for survivors to recommend tips and tricks.

Not everyone will get what you’re going through, and some will try to undermine your reality. In these cases, be up front about your feelings. They don’t get to decide what’s challenging for you. Nobody knows your body and mind better than you do. If they still don’t understand, turn to the caregivers you trust. They’ll help you navigate the murky waters of a TBI.

Ian Hebeisen is a writer based in the Twin Cities. Graduating in 2020 with a degree in Literature with a Writing Emphasis, Ian spends his time writing for The Brain Health Magazine and JUVEN Press. He also writes comics, zines, short stories, and poetry. He lives with his partner and two cats, and enjoys playing board games and reading. 

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest
Next Post
Yoga: Backbends

Yoga: Backbends

SIGN UP

BLOG

Yoga: Seated Cobra Pose

Yoga: Seated Cobra Pose

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief Yoga is a powerful tool for neuroplasticity. Contrary to some beliefs, everyone can do yoga — you don’t need to be super flexible, be able to balance, or even be able to stand up. The beauty of yoga is every pose can be modified to accommodate anyone. An important aspect of […]

Read more
Resilience After a Brain Injury

Resilience After a Brain Injury

By Dr. Shane Steadman, DC, DACNB, DCBCN, CNS Recovery after a brain injury can be a long journey. Working hard and hoping to get back to baseline often can be frustrating, and for some, unattainable. With the many doctor visits, exercises, rehab appointments, medications, and supplements, goals can become lost. However, amid recovering from a […]

Read more
The Resiliency of the Human Brain and Body

The Resiliency of the Human Brain and Body

By James A. Heuer, PA As a personal injury attorney for over 45 years, I have witnessed many of my clients successfully recover from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Whether the TBI occurs from a car crash, a slip and fall, or blow to the head, the resiliency of the human body and brain is […]

Read more
Resiliency: Is It Just Personal or Part of Brain Chemistry?

Resiliency: Is It Just Personal or Part of Brain Chemistry?

By Deborah Zelinsky, O.D. The term resiliency encompasses “the range of personal protective factors, environmental supports, and resources, as well as self-regulatory processes, engaged in response to adversity,” according to investigators writing about recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) for the publication Disability and Rehabilitation. Indeed, author Mike Norton  said it best when he wrote, […]

Read more
Stress Away Essential Oil

Stress Away Essential Oil

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief A complementary tool that can help you achieve a healthy lifestyle, essential oils are easy to use and smell great, with a variety of uses. All oils are not created equal. I personally only trust the Young Living brand because I know they maintain complete control over their product from seed […]

Read more
Resiliency and the Courtroom

Resiliency and the Courtroom

By Jeff Heller Resiliency is one of the greatest attributes anyone can have. From an early age, parents teach their children, “if you get knocked down, you get back up.” Coaches teach their players, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” And one of the cornerstones of the underdog mentality is to “never […]

Read more
The Quality of Resilience

The Quality of Resilience

by Shauna Hahn Sometime in 2019, in the weekly “Healing and Recovery” therapy group I lead, we discussed the topic of the quality of “resilience.” When it came time for a patient to contribute, he said, “I don’t want to be resilient. I get tired of being resilient all the f**king time.” And I heard […]

Read more
Peanut Butter Protein Fluff

Peanut Butter Protein Fluff

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief What You Need: 1 cup (250g) full-fat Greek yogurt 2 tbsp. peanut butter or almond butter 2 tsp. stevia Favorite garnish (banana, granola, blueberries) Add the yogurt, nut butter and stevia into a small mixing bowl and whisk together using a hand mixer, until fluffy. Transfer the mix into a bowl […]

Read more
Arizona Man Overcomes Three Traumatic Brain Injuries and Gives Back By Building Adaptive Recreation & Socialization Program for Survivors

Arizona Man Overcomes Three Traumatic Brain Injuries and Gives Back By Building Adaptive Recreation & Socialization Program for Survivors

By Ed Roth Randy Elston is finally living his best life, which may be an odd thing to say about a Marine Corps veteran with three traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Recently named as the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona’s new Adaptive Recreation & Activities Coordinator, Randy’s tours of duty in Iraq left him with a […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.