Long-term Issues
Recovery from a brain injury is a life-long process. Family, friends, and the rehabilitation team will play an important role in this process.
Employment
Returning to work or to a volunteer job may help the patient get back into the community and move forward in the recovery progress. There are things, however, that patients and their loved ones need to keep in mind when making plans to go back to work.
- Physical changes
It is perfectly normal for the patient to experience extreme fatigue after the injury. It may be difficult for the patient to complete a whole day at work, or to remain focused on one particular task.
Movement and speech issues also may play a role. The patient may not be able to move or think as fast as before. It is likely that at least in the beginning, the patient will not be able to accomplish as much in the work day as before, or as much as colleagues do now. This is part of recovery and will take time. Employers and supervisors should be cognizant of these changes.
- Behavioral changes
Many people with a brain injury may have problems with their temper and self-awareness, or problems accepting responsibility or criticism.
Self-awareness refers to how a person can judge his or her behavior, performance (both job and personal), and abilities. Someone who cannot recognize a mistake may create a poor product. If the person is not aware of making mistakes, the person may not correct them or may complain of being bullied or picked on when asked to correct the mistakes.
These sorts of problems may also affect the ability to take or keep a job. Even though someone may have lost certain abilities after the brain injury, he or she may not recognize the loss and may wish to keep on doing the same thing as before the injury. Patients may not want to take a different type of job, or may not be willing to accept lower pay. The rehabilitation team can work with the patient to help change the expectations of reasonable employment.
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