Developing a Partnership: Strategies for Coping

The family of a brain injured person should never feel like they have to take on the recovery process by themselves. It is important for them to recognize, however that they are by far the most important individuals involved in that recovery. They will be interacting with the patient the most and providing them with feedback and support. Here are some strategies for working with a brain injured loved one, to help speed their recovery and make things easier for the both of you.

Develop a Home Recovery Plan Together

This plan, which should be based on advice from the patient’s primary care physician or clinical nurse specialist, will outline what role the injured person will take in the household, and what tasks they are expected to complete. This can be anything as simple as making the bed everyday and watering the plants, to doing schoolwork or riding the bus around town. Make sure that you and the patient both clearly understand their responsibilities, and that you craft this plan together.

Make It Easy

The patient’s expectations should be written down and broken into simple steps. A daily planner or journal can be a helpful tool for the injured individual. The goal is to help them complete their tasks, not to make it unnecessarily complicated. Keeping the home environment free of clutter and distractions is also important.

Practice Problem Solving

While it can be easy to define goals for the patient, in their daily life they can still expect to run into difficulties. Perhaps completing a given goal is not possible in a way previously defined. Help your family member through these steps, which can be used to work through unexpected problems.

  • Write down the problem
  • Write out possible solutions
  • List pros and cons of each option
  • Pick and try one solution
  • Evaluate the success of the solution

Provide Honest and Encouraging Feedback

Help the patient recognize their own successes and failures. Be encouraging, but also provide honest commentary on areas that could be improved. Always be supportive, and be there to celebrate their daily achievements.

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