If your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it may be up to you and your family members to make sure he or she is receiving adequate care. But when you don't have the resources to monitor your loved one and you are not sure he or she can function home alone, you should consider an assisted living facility as a safe and supportive alternative. Although some individuals are resistant to the idea at first, these are four reasons why placing your loved one in assisted living can significantly improve his or her recovery process.
Providing a Secure and Structured Environment
Traumatic brain injuries manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Your loved one may, for example, be able to carry out household chores without being able to write or speak, or vice-versa. Assisted living centers understand this variability and will work with your loved one to both promote strong functional areas while encouraging the recovery of weaker ones.Meanwhile, your loved one will have around-the-clock medical supervision, including assistance with taking medications on time, while still maintaining a degree of independence.
Tracking and Guiding the Recovery Process
In an assisted living facility, medical professionals will be able to provide mental and physical therapy as needed throughout the day, and they will also be able to observe your loved one's progress firsthand. This guided recovery can help create more precise treatment plans and respond to new developments quickly. This approach may increase your loved one's improvement rate and get him or her back to regular life as quickly as possible.
Keeping Your Loved One's Mind Active
Besides structured therapy sessions, staying in an assisted living center encourages your loved one to remain active and sociable while recovering. All too often, patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury are shut away for weeks, months or even years, losing touch with all but their most dedicated friends and family members. By recovering in a facility that is always bustling with staff, residents and visitors, your loved one can remain a part of the world in spite of the trauma.
Preparing Your Loved One for the Future
Many families, when faced with a loved one whose injury is permanently debilitating, find themselves wondering how to help that person reintegrate into society. This includes determining whether or not your loved one will be able to hold a job, maintain an apartment, drive a car or socialize normally with others. An assisted living facility should be able to help you through this transitional phase by offering their own assessment of functionality and recommending resources that may be available to you. Traumatic brain injury can be a life-disrupting event, but it doesn't need to permanently put your loved one's life on hold. By handling these initial recovery stages with comprehensive care, you can give your loved one the best possible chance for success moving forward.
