References
1. Philpott, D., & Hill, J. 2007. The Wounded Warrior Handbook: Traumatic Brain Injury.
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 1-132.
2. “Traumatic Brain Injury.” Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving. 22
Feb. 2011 http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=579.
3. “Traumatic Brain Injury.” U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2). Aug. 2009. 3 Feb.
2011 http://www.aw2.army.mil/assets/documents/TBI_Media_FINAL.pdf.
4. “Types of Brain Injury.” Brain Injury Association of America. 3 Feb. 2011
http://www.biausa.org/Pages/types_of_brain_injury.html#tbi.
5. “Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury.” Military OneSource.com. 2008. 3 Feb. 2011
http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/Topic/Issue/Material.
aspx?MaterialTypeID=9&MaterialID=15820.
6. “What Caregiver Need to Know about TBI.” Brain & SpinalCord.org. 3 Feb. 2011
http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/recovery-traumatic-brain-injury/caregivers-traumatic-brain-injury.html.
*Photos credits: Cover photo provided by the Fort Hood Sentinel.
Inside photo (1) provided by Fort Hood Sentinel, photo (2 and 3) provided by iStockphoto.
Caring for those with
Traumatic Brain Injury
Does your wounded warrior…
Military Program-Wounded Warrior
P.O. Box 2150
Bryan, TX 77806
Tel. 979-845-1553
woundedwarrior@ag.tamu.edu
http://www.extension.org/pages/60576/military-family-caregiving
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without
regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA), under Agreement No. 2009-48702-06080.
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Have difficulty making decisions?
Have trouble completing tasks?
Express difficulty concentrating?
Suffer from memory loss?
Seem sad and depressed?
Seem angry?
Suffer from fatigue and dizziness?
Suffer from headaches?
If so, he or she may be experiencing symptoms of traumatic brain injury
(TBI). TBI is a life-altering event for wounded warriors and their
caregivers. Although some common predictors exist, recovery is
different for each individual.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those
of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
http://www.extension.org/pages/60576/military-family-caregiving
Impact of caregiving
Causes and Effects of TBI
Military-related TBI injuries can be caused
by gunshot wounds, exposure to blasts, and
even motor vehicle accidents. When the head
receives a direct blow, the skull may be
damaged or fractured, and damage to the
brain may result.
According to the Brain Injury Association of
America, the severity of TBI can range from a
mild concussion to a more severe injury that
can cause long-term or permanent damage.
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Mild TBI, also referred to as a
“closed head injury,” is a concussion that occurs when the head is hit or shaken. An affected service
member can become dazed or
confused or lose consciousness for a
short period. This type of concussion is seldom life-threatening, and recovery usually takes a few weeks or, in some cases, a few months.
Moderate to severe TBI is often marked by complex war injuries that cause wounded service members to experience periods of
unconsciousness and, possibly, long-term amnesia. As the caregiver of a wounded warrior with moderate to severe TBI, understand that your service member may think and behave differently than he or she did in the past.
Strategies for helping and coping
Living with a wounded warrior who has had a TBI can place a heavy burden
on the caregiver. It’s important that you, as the caregiver, learn to help your
wounded warrior and yourself.
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Identify inappropriate behaviors, such as anger, outburst, withdrawal, and
apathy, that may occur in public settings.
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Educate children about the potential behaviors they may see in your
wounded warrior.
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Take part in community activities rather than become socially isolated for
fear of how your wounded warrior may behave.
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Avoid activities that could possibly lead to another brain injury. Also, be
aware that alcohol, caffeine, or “energy-enhancing” substances;
pseudoephedrine-containing medications; and over-the-counter
sleeping aids can slow the healing process.
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Be patient. Your wounded warrior may find it difficult to learn new things
or understand abstract concepts. Also, he or she may demonstrate
communication deficits, such as loss of vocabulary.
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Join a support group for caregivers who are in similar wounded warrior
situations. Locate such groups by contacting your local Army installation’s
Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC).
Helping an individual who has had a
TBI can be hard on the caregiver. You
can implement strategies that will help
you maintain your ability to serve your
wounded warrior.
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Get plenty of sleep and rest.
Establish a regular daily routine.
Eat properly.
Monitor your health by scheduling
routine medical examinations.
Enlist the support of family and
friends.
Include humor in your life, whether
by renting comedies, attending live
performances, or finding other ways
to create feelings of lightheartedness.
Share your cares and concerns with
others experiencing similar problems by joining a brain injury
support group and/or other support groups.
Seek counseling or help from a trained professional if you
experience an emotional meltdown.
Take advantage of respite care (temporary outside care) to the
extent that it is available in your community.
Never give up! Staying positive will keep your wounded warrior
optimistic and help him or her stay motivated during the
rehabilitation process.
TBI Resources for Caregivers
For more support on caring for those with TBI,
contact the Brain Injury Association of America
(http://www.biausa.org), and its affiliate in your
state, or visit the Defense and Veterans Brain
Injury Center website at http://www.dvbic.org.
Contact your local Army installation’s Soldier
and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) for support
groups and caregiver support services. For
additional information on caregiving, visit the VA
Caregiver Support website at:
http://www.caregiver.va.gov.
This article can also be found at: Tips for Caregiver,
Traumatic Brain Injury (http://www.extension.org/
pages/60576/military-family-caregiving).