Source: psychologytoday.com | Repost Duerson Fund 12/4/2023 –
During holiday times we tend to have more social interactions, especially with our immediate and/or extended family. People who have problems related to brain functioning require a somewhat different approach from their loved ones, though. Their issues may be mild, such as temporary problems after mild brain trauma or transient ischemic attack, or they may be major, such as after a stroke or a traumatic brain injury, or if they’re living with dementia. This also now includes people who suffer from long-term Covid, as research finds that the condition causes changes in the brain similar to a traumatic brain injury.
Most important are problems related to processing verbal information and verbal memory, because they affect verbal comprehension, everyday functioning, and social interactions, including communication with family members. Of course, it’s difficult to change your way of communicating with your loved ones from day to day, but with practice, it’ll get better. The goal is to make sure that the communication is ongoing. A loved one with any kind of brain ailment is already going through the difficult process of finding a new normal, and you and other family members need to help facilitate that process as much as possible. There will be good days and bad days, but don’t get discouraged and don’t give up on keeping the communication going, despite difficulties. Do not feel guilty if you aren’t getting your point across or if your loved one becomes irritable. It’ll get better with practice.