Author: Wendy Hooker

Do I Need an Aging Life Care Professional?

Posted on by Wendy Hooker
Young caucasion woman and elderly caucasion woman smiling at each other
If you’re struggling with the decision to use a Care Manager, it may be helpful to consider the following questions: Are your loved one’s health concerns and required care becoming greater and more complex than you can comfortably manage? Are there other demands or responsibilities in your life that prevent you from giving full attention to your loved one’s needs? Will distance or accessibility make it difficult to supervise or monitor your loved one’s care and well-being? (more&he...
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Professional Care for Survivors of Traumatic Injuries

Posted on by Wendy Hooker
A traumatic injury devastates the lives of survivors and their families; the injured person’s needs are complex: they must learn new ways to physically carry-out daily activities and/or emotionally cope with being more dependent on others for basic needs (like feeding or toileting). On top of the pains of recovery and rehabilitation, the injured person and their families or care-givers will need to navigate the healthcare system, interfacing with doctors, lawyers, government agencies, etc. N...
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Signs and Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted on by Wendy Hooker
When a traumatic brain injury occurs, the injured person may experience physical, cognitive, or behavioral effects. Symptoms are dependent on whether the injury is localized or widespread, the severity of the injury, and the part(s) of the brain that are affected. Mild, Moderate, and Severe TBI With mild TBI, a person may remain conscious or may lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Outside of losing consciousness, other symptoms may not be present or noticed at the time of the ...
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Living with a Brain Injury

Posted on by Wendy Hooker
There’s no denying that life is different after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition to all the physical changes a brain injury may bring, a TBI can also mean the loss of a career or the disruption of an education. It can change your plans for the future, alter the way you meet and make friends, and affect the way you think about yourself. Life after a brain injury usually involves challenges, but that doesn’t mean life is less valuable or fulfilling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_...
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Brain Injury and Sports

Posted on by Wendy Hooker
Anyone who has a head injury during a sporting event needs to immediately stop all activity and not return to play that day. Being active again before the brain returns to normal functioning increases the person’s risk of having a more serious brain injury. Every coach, player, teacher, parent, and trainer should know the symptoms of a concussion and the importance of getting medical help when a player has a head injury. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZox4PQo2Qg Returning to Play After a H...
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Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted on by Wendy Hooker
Most people who have had a significant brain injury will require rehabilitation. They may need to relearn basic skills such as walking, eating, or talking; the goal is to improve their abilities to function at home and in the community. Acute Rehabilitation As early as possible in the recovery process, individuals who sustain brain injuries will begin acute rehabilitation. The treatment is provided in a special unit of the trauma hospital, a rehabilitation hospital or another inpatient set...
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