My 71 yr old aunt fell 2 weeks ago, banged her head on ground. I was there when it happened and called 911 within 5 minutes. Emergency surgery to cut away part of skull to relieve bleeding. She is doing well now but still has some challenges saying what she’s thinking, memory and her right hand becomes momentarily heavy a couple times a day. She is being discharged today and will come live with us until we’re comfortable she can go home and be independent.

Anyone ever care for someone with a brain injury? Tips, experiences?

Thanks.

Prayers for a full recovery!

No tips, but you are a good man for helping out your aunt like that. Good luck.

prayers for her and your family

The brain takes a long time to heal, especially with the older population. They can also have a harder time with the effects of anesthesia.

Get with a good concussion doctor and have patience....

Prayers for her and your family of caregivers.

Be there for her and assist with the confusion and changes. I am usually the first person to see the brain injury during the CT Scan. It changes people's lives for sure. The body is amazing in that it can heal itself sometimes in miraculous ways. Support, love, understanding, assistance. That's what she will need from yall. It will take time to heal, and prayers that the brain heals back to it's state before the fall.

Be patient. MAKE her walk with a cane. My grandfather had a bad fall back in January. Banged his head real bad on concrete. We almost lost him. Had to go to a rehab hospital for a few weeks. A week in he was seeing his name written in cursive written all over the walls. Has fallen again since. He’s a stubborn old dude. If your aunt is anything like him, she will try to do too much, too fast.

Every brain and every brain injury is different. Seems she has a left brain injury due to the speech and right hand issues.

Try to get her in a neuro rehabilitation hospital. Home health physical therapy and speech therapy are other options though an impatient setting is more intense.

prayers for you all
i had my 5th concussion 2 years ago
(bike wreck, my dog pulled me over}
i have trouble with some names
at least i am blaming the concussion

Sorry to hear. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

Had a brain injury in the past. I still have the challenges saying what I'm thinking and short term memory loss. It was a struggle to learn how to live with that. Finding a way to deal with that frustration was a key to living happier. I learned to laugh at some of the things I struggle to say and forget. Having people around that understood the struggle made it easier. As bad a rap as Facebook gets, it helped me reconnect with old friends I hadn't seen in years and jogged memories as they brought up old times.

AMEN to that!

Pate Brain Injury Rehab is excellent for both outpatient and inpatient.
I'm not certain which insurance plans they cover.
All the best for your aunt.

I believe they have locations in Dallas, Anna, and Ft. Worth

It's all they do, all day every day. Very passionate speech and cognitive therapists work there. The medical director will be specialized in brain injury rehab with lots of experience.

Lots of good information above, just remember the old normal may not be reachable. Be ready to help her accept her new normal. After my daughters brain surgery a whole lot changed with her and she had to adapt. Prayers for your aunt and you and your family as she goes thru this.