How brain injuries affect abilities
Brain injury can affect a person’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and behavioral abilities.
Some problems affect many people, while others seldom occur. Other problems may arise that are not listed here. Types of problems, as well as length and amount of recovery, vary considerably from person to person, depending on the location, type, and extent of injury.
Here are some of the potential challenges that your care team will consider.
- Behavior and emotions: Mood, initiation, apathy, social skills, awareness, insight, impulsivity, anger, agitation, anxiety, depression
- Body functions: Bladder, bowel, nutrition, swallowing, skin care, sleep, fatigue, respiratory health, vision
- Communication: General communication, language impairment (aphasia), motor speech disorder (apraxia)
- Positioning and mobility: Bed mobility, body mechanics for caregivers, splinting and bracing, transfer techniques, weight shifts, and wheelchair positioning
- Thinking skills: Arousal, attention, concentration, memory, problem-solving, reasoning