How to Support ABI Patients for a Healthy Lifestyle?

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) or Post-traumatic Amnesia (PTA) corresponds to the brain damage due to acquired factors after birth, such as accidents, stroke, lack of oxygen, infections, and falls. These changes result in various behavioural and cognitive changes which disrupt the normal functioning of everyday life events. Hence, the recovery of patients with ABI is necessary to help them live the life they deserve. Acquired brain injury services from professionals and the right support can make a big a big difference in the lives of ABI patients. Moreover, support from family members, colleagues and friends can help them navigate this situation successfully in their lives.

In this article, we will walk through the ways to support ABI patients for a healthy and happy life. Let’s first understand ABI completely!

The life-altering ABI refers to the changes or damages in the brain after birth, i.e., they are not inherited but rather acquired. The most common factors/ reasons for ABIs are:

• Traumatic Brain Injury

  This type of injury refers to the changes in the brain that occur after injuries and accidents.

• Non-Traumatic Brain Injury

  It refers to brain changes due to medical conditions, drug or alcohol abuse.

The symptoms of ABI patients are:

• Weakness and tiredness

• Changes in sleep patterns, vision, and smell

• Slurred speech or inability to communicate properly

• The ability to think and act is impaired. They are not able to concentrate properly.

There are various ways to offer support to ABI patients, which include:

1. Practical Support

ABI patients need practical support to perform their daily activities. You can assist them in bathing, dressing, and walking. Make sure that they have a safe environment to live in where there are no risks of falling. You can help them with communication and medication management. Moreover, you can support them in doing rehabilitation exercises that were recommended by healthcare professionals.

2. Emotional Support

The other major support after physical is emotional, because ABI patients feel frustrated when they are not able to recall some moments of their life. They feel sad after knowing that they are not so normal, so providing them emotional support is most important and challenging for the family members and caregivers.

You can offer them emotional support by validating their feelings, actively listening to them. You should not judge them on the basis of what they are saying, and be patient in dealing with them. Sometimes, it becomes hard listening to them, so you can encourage them to write down their feelings and express them through any form of art or music. If you are a family member of ABI patients, seek professional support for them in the form of therapy or counselling. Set realistic goals for them on a daily basis, show them unconditional love, and emphasise self-care to bring joy and relaxation in their lives.

3. Rehabilitation Support

There are various kinds of therapies for ABI patients that you can provide them according to their needs, which include:

• Occupational therapy

• Speech and language therapy

• Cognitive therapy

• Psychological counseling

4. Network Support

Always remember that supporting ABI patients is a teamwork, so involve healthcare professionals, doctors, rehabilitation specialists, and therapists. You can take guidance from ABI survivors and their families to connect better with your ABI patient.

5. Self-help Support

If you are a victim of ABI and unfortunately you do not have any support from the family or network, there are some self-help strategies, such as establishing an organised routine and relaxing properly. Take good care of your sleep, perform regular exercise and eat healthy to recover as soon as possible. Avoid overthinking and manage fatigue to reduce the risks of a severe condition. Also, refrain from alcohol, caffeine, and drug use.

The article has outlined the three possible ways to support ABI patients for a healthy lifestyle. It needs a lot of patience and teamwork to help them recover completely from a traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury. If you are a healthcare professional, embrace your clients as individuals and connect them on a personal level to give them the results they want.