People with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often require rehabilitation to regain full or partial function. However, there may be a gap between when a patient is discharged from a hospital and when he or she can be approved for rehabilitative care. In this event, you might consider placement in a nursing facility, which takes a concerted effort on behalf of the family to ensure the TBI patient is being treated reasonably. Brainline.org offers the following advice on how you can ensure your loved one is taken care of when in a nursing home.
The most important step you can take is to visit the facility on a frequent basis. When visiting, choose different times of the day, such as early in the morning and in the evening. Along with spending time with a loved one, also speak with staff, other residents, and even nursing home administrators to get a clear picture of the level of care being provided. Not only will this keep you apprised to any problems with the care being provided, it also lets staff know you’re advocating for the patient.
You should also provide instructions on proper care of TBI patients. Many nursing homes lack this information, which means your relative’s progress may be delayed. If possible, arrange for therapy while the person is in the care facility. If there is no therapist available in the nursing home, look for outside sources.
Finally, stay in contact with the rehabilitation center you plan on taking your relative to when the time is right. The goal of the nursing home stay is to ensure the TBI patient is strong enough for rehab, which means you must be proactive to make this happen quickly. You can also schedule regular exams to assess whether a loved one is ready to leave the nursing home facility.