Navigating life after a traumatic brain injury: Being a strong support system

Suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a monumental impact on both the individual, but also their families and loved ones, too.

Yet, having that strong support system in the recovery process is essential for the individual’s well-being. However, that’s not to say that it’s an easy task that doesn’t come with challenges.

Supporting someone through a traumatic brain injury can be tricky to navigate at times, but with the right resources and information, this can be made easier for both you and your loved one.

This guide will provide practical guidance on how to effectively support a loved one with a TBI, and how to ensure you’re caring for yourself in the process, too.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A TBI is a brain injury which has been caused by an outside force. This force could have been a fall, a forceful bump, blow or jolt to the head, from an object entering the brain (for example, a gunshot wound).

It’s important to note though, that not all of these forces result in a TBI. There are also various types of TBIs, such as:

• Short-term (temporary): This can cause problems with brain function, such as how a person thinks, communicates, feels, moves and acts.
• Long-term (permanent): A more severe TBI could lead to a permanent disability and, in some cases, it can be fatal. This could severely affect a person’s cognitive, physical and emotional functioning.

TBIs can occur for various reasons, from accidents such as falls, blunt trauma accidents, vehicle-related injuries, explosions, or from assaults or violence.

Each TBI is a completely unique injury, so it can be difficult to know what to expect when your loved one has been diagnosed with a TBI.

As a TBI is not caused by something internal occurring, such as a stroke or a tumour, you might be able to receive compensation for your loved one’s TBI. To receive free advice on whether or not you could make a TBI claim, speak to one of our personal injury solicitors on 0330 013 0377.

Building a support network

Learning how to care for somebody with a traumatic brain injury can be daunting, but once armed with the right information, it can be much easier to process.

The most important part of looking after someone with a TBI is assembling a comprehensive support network to help share the load. This can be made up of both medical professionals and therapists, as well as family members and friends.

These support teams can either be:

• Formal support networks: Run by professionals, these teams offer a range of care services with roles such as healthcare providers, social workers or government agencies.
• Informal support networks: These generally consist more of friends, family, and community members – such as local clubs or neighbourhood associations. You could also find online or in-person support groups for people caring for loved ones with TBIs.

If the individual’s TBI is permanent, it’s even more important to make sure you’ve got a supportive team that you can coordinate care between.

Support networks offer immense value to both the individual suffering from the TBI, and their loved ones, too. They can provide financial support, practical assistance, emotional support and social interaction.

Your legal team could also be part of your support network, too. Here at Fletchers Solicitors, we offer comprehensive care and resources for traumatic brain injury and their family. Your legal team can help to manage your compensation with a Court of Protection team, provide unbiased independent advice and access to therapies and rehabilitation services.

Communicating effectively when someone has a TBI

One of the most vital steps in caring for a loved one with a TBI is learning how to communicate effectively.

With every brain injury being so unique, the capabilities and understanding vary significantly between patients. But, making your communication as clear as possible will be vital in letting them feel heard, understood and cared for.

Some practical tips for communicating with someone with a TBI include:

• Speaking clearly and concisely
• Using visual aids when necessary
• Being patient and allowing extra time for responses
• Avoiding overwhelming the person with too much information
• Understanding and adapting to changes in communication abilities
• Describe what you’re going to do before you do it
• Use facial expressions and gestures
• Explain that you value their input, thoughts and feelings
• Review familiar information (e.g. their likes, dislikes, favourite songs, familiar names or locations)

Supporting rehabilitation and daily routines

Rehabilitation is a large part of caring for a loved one with a TBI. It will heavily depend on the severity of the injury as to what extent of rehabilitation they can achieve.

Some of the most helpful strategies for supporting the rehabilitation process include:

• Encouraging adherence to therapy programmes

There are a number of therapy programmes designed to help people with a TBI, tailored to all different levels of severity. Encouraging your loved one to attend, and being there to offer moral support, is a great way to support their rehabilitation.

• Assisting with daily tasks whilst promoting independence

There’s a fine line between doing everything for them and not allowing them to do anything at all. Learning this balance will come over time – try to remain as patient as possible, and be observant to tasks that they struggle with and tasks they can manage themselves.

• Creating a structured environment to aid memory and reduce confusion

Routine is power, and ensuring your loved one’s day is structured is a great way to improve their memory, make them feel safe and give them a sense of understanding.

• Helping to set realistic goals and celebrate achievements

Encouragement and celebration are large parts of the daily routine. Small wins should be celebrated just as enthusiastically as bigger wins, as each small step is working on the path towards recovery. Be sure to keep their daily goals as realistic as possible and keep monitoring their progress on certain tasks.

• Adapting the home environment for safety and accessibility

This can be done with the help of your support network. Assisted living changes may need to be made to your home in order for it to be as safe and accessible as possible for your loved one. Keeping the home safe is also something to be mindful of, such as not leaving out sharp objects or moving things around out of place to avoid confusion.

There is also the option of using rehabilitation therapies to help your loved one, such as:

• Cognitive rehabilitation therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Psychotherapy and behaviour therapy

Here at Fletchers Solicitors, we are able to support our clients with a wide range of resources, including rehabilitation services for sufferers of traumatic brain injuries. The support does not stop after receiving your settlement – our Court of Protection team can provide care and support for our TBI clients, and their families, as they navigate through their journey to recovery.

Caring for the caregiver & long-term strategies

As well as caring for your loved one, ensuring that you’re caring for yourself is one of the most essential components. You may find yourself feeling stressed, burnt out or mentally/physically unwell if you take on too much at once.

If your capacity is waning, it’s important to know when you lean on your support network and ask for more support from your team.

You can also seek respite care – a type of care service used to provide carers with the respite they need. This could be used to take a holiday, take care of your own physical and mental health, or simply just to take a step back from the environment to recuperate.

Caring for a TBI survivor on a long-term basis also comes with other considerations, such as ongoing medical care, financial planning and legal issues.

Here at Fletchers Solicitors, we commit to providing ongoing care and support beyond the legal settlement. This long-term care comes in the form of a Court of Protection team – a team which can offer you help managing your compensation settlement, provide access to support resources and provide unbiased independent advice.

So, by making a traumatic brain injury claim through Fletchers, not only could you receive the compensation you deserve, but you could expect long-term care and support for you and your family.

How Fletchers Solicitors have supported others after a TBI

At Fletchers Solicitors, we have years of experience managing complex traumatic brain injury cases.

Our expert TBI solicitors have assisted many clients with TBI claims, offering comprehensive support, including:

• Securing compensation for ongoing care and rehabilitation
• Assisting with home adaptations and equipment needs
• Providing access to specialist medical experts
• Supporting families through the legal process
• Offering long-term financial management through the Court of Protection team

Some examples of traumatic brain injury claims that Fletchers Solicitors have handled in the past include:

• Retiree receives significant sum after suffering a traumatic brain injury on Austrian mountain walk
• Man moves into specially adapted home after an acquired brain injury following a motorcycle accident
• Motorbike accident victim thanks Fletchers Solicitors for taking ‘stress, mental anxiety and pressure away’

The TBI claims process: what to expect

At Fletchers Solicitors, we have a simple 6-step process:

1. Your initial enquiry: Our legal experts can answer all questions you might have, with strictly confidential calls.
2. Case review: One of our specialists will assess your claim and give you an honest assessment of your prospects.
3. Investigation: If your case is accepted, we will start to gather evidence to support your claim. This could include your losses, such as loss of earnings or out-of-pocket expenses.
4. Medical evidence: We’ll then access your medical records to get an understanding of your traumatic brain injuries. We’ll also discuss how the injury has affected your work and lifestyle.
5. Negotiation: We’ll work with the other party to negotiate appropriate compensation for your birth trauma injuries and losses. We’ll keep you updated at all times during this period.
6. Compensation: At this stage, negotiation is complete and your compensation is secured.

If you’re caring for a TBI survivor, it’s essential to seek professional legal support to ensure the best possible outcomes for the individuals and their families. Learn more about how our TBI lawyers handle brain injury cases.

For more information about how Fletchers Solicitors can help support you with your traumatic brain injury claim, call us today on 0330 013 0377. We can offer expert guidance and support throughout each stage of your journey.