Every four minutes in the State of Texas, someone is involved in a traumatic brain injury. In the US, a TBI occurs about every 21 seconds. You can imagine how many families are impacted by traumatic brain injury each year, and the incredibly difficult process of adjustment they go through. Adjustment to brain injury is truly a family task. It is not done in isolation. The entire family manages and endures the long hospitalization, the rehabilitation process, and the transition of their loved one, either to another setting or home. Then, there is sometimes continuing therapy even after the arrival home. One ...

Schizophrenia is known to most as a disorder characterized by hallucinations and disturbances of an emotional, behavioral, or intellectual nature. What some may not be familiar with is that in addition to the previous conditions, research also indicates a link between patients suffering from schizophrenia and insensitivity to pain. Reports of the relationship between schizophrenia and pain date back to the early twentieth century. One researcher found that pain was absent in 37 percent of schizophrenia patients with acute appendicitis, and 41 percent of those with a fractured femur. Another study showed that only 18 percent of schizophrenia patients who had ...

Financial planning for loved ones can be a daunting task for any family, especially those who have relatives with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are living longer and more fulfilling lives than ever before. For this reason, it is important for parents and/or guardians to prepare a financial plan for them once they are no longer able to handle their care. One financial tool used by many to arrange for such future care is a trust. A trust is a legal arrangement where one party holds property for the financial benefit of another party. In other words, it can be thought of ...

Chronic pain is unrelieved pain that lasts for longer than three months. This often occurs when the pain mechanism in the body no longer works correctly or when certain diseases that are associated with pain become chronic for unknown reasons. Usually, the source or cause of the chronic pain is not known. Examples of chronic pain include continuous back and/or neck pain, diabetic neuropathy, ongoing headaches, interstitial cystitis, and fibromyalgia. A variation of chronic pain is intermittent pain, which is when pain-free times alternate with weeks or months of daily pain. Types of intermittent pain include migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, ...

Many caregivers have found that talking to other people who are also caregivers, and can understand their experiences and feelings about caregiving, can be an extremely powerful method of coping (Nahls, 2001). Support groups can provide an opportunity for people with common experiences and problems to give emotional support to one another, as well as to share information and to learn skills from eachother (Llardo & Rothman, 1999). One of the main benefits of a support group is that it helps caregivers to see that they are not alone in their experience, as others are having some very similar experiences. ...

Choosing a healthcare facility for your loved is one of the toughest decisions you can make, but it is your choice! At first appearance, through web sites and printed brochures, all facilities can put their best foot forward. However, often the quality facilities can be separated from the rest with one visit. Here are some things to look for: Is the facility clean and well maintained? Is there good food cooking? Is there a foul odor when you initially walk into the facility? Are you greeted and made welcome upon arrival? Are the employees courteous, friendly and professional looking? Are the residents busy in meaningful ...

America's baby boomers are aging and dealing with all the medical problems normally associated with the elderly.  But it is important to know that it is never normal to be depressed, anxious, or to have psychotic symptoms no matter how old someone is.  Contrary to some widely held opinions, it is also important to know that it is not dangerous to prescribe psychotropic medications to elderly patients who have treatable psychiatric disorders.  Therefore, treatment should not simply be avoided because someone is over the age of 65.  However, it is important that care be taken that the doctor is given ...

The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and/or chronic stress in caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury has been found to fairly high.  Often caregivers, desiring to provide the best care possible for their loved one, will sacrifice their own physical and emotional needs.  The emotional and physical experiences involved in care giving can be very straining for even the most capable individuals.  Feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness, isolation, exhaustion, and then guilt for having these feelings are not uncommon.  Ignoring these feelings will not make them go away and can lead to more serious emotional distress and physical illness (Family ...

You are the primary caregiver and you are having a bad day. Nothing seems to be going right. There have been other bad days and you know there will be more on the way. How do you cope with this situation when there seems to be no end in sight?  The following includes some suggestions for coping given by Williams and Kay (1995), in their book, “The Caregiver’s Manual.”

1. Take a Time Out

The first thing you need to do is to stop and take stock of the situation.  Sit down, lie in the tub, go out ...

Hackensack University Medical Center’s standing as one of New Jersey’s and the nation’s healthcare leaders is driven by a commitment to quality. At Hackensack University Medical Center, quality means always striving to deliver the best medicine to our patients. It means always reevaluating the delivery of healthcare to ensure that high standards are achieved. It means never turning away from a community need, but instead redoubling our efforts and commitment to respond to those needs. PURPOSE:Hackensack University Medical Center is a team committed to providing an exceptional patient experience through quality patient-centered care, education, research, and community outreach. GOAL:To become the leading ...