Traumatic Brain Injury A to Z - Program Introduction

Program Introduction

Program Introduction

Tracy

Hi. My name is Tracy McGrew. I’m a social worker. I’ve been working with caregivers of patients with traumatic brain injury for many, many years. Now in just a few moments, our support group will arrive and I’ll be guiding them through this caregiving program. Now the people that will be here have two things in common - - a service member or veteran in their family has suffered a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, or TBI. They want to learn more about caring for that family member.

Now the role of the caregiver can be an uncertain journey, because the recovery from TBI can be so unpredictable. There are no two brain injuries that are exactly alike. Some people who have TBI recover quickly, others they can take much longer. Now there are many factors to determine the extent of the recovery of course. The more severe the damage to the brain, the greater likelihood of long-term problems. Some will have very few long-term effects, but others could face lifelong issues. Now coping with this uncertainty is just one of the challenges that a caregiver will face.

The content of this program was guided by health professionals and family caregivers and it’s designed to help you, as a caregiver, understand your incredibly important role in all of this. We’re going to take a look at some of the challenges that your loved one may face, and how you can help deal with those challenges. We’ll offer some tips on how to get organized, how to become an advocate and we’ll also suggest some important ways to take care of yourself while you’re caring for your family member.

Caring for a loved one with TBI is sometimes difficult and it’s always a very personal journey. Whether your service member or your veteran’s recovery takes weeks, or months or years, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

Oh, looks like we’re about to get started.

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