caregiver tip - Traumatic Brain Injury Council

• Remain calm if the adult with a TBI behaves inappropriately in a
sexual way. If you appear shocked or distressed, it could make the
person feel there is something wrong with his or her sexuality.
Tell the person when a behavior is inappropriate and offer
alternatives—for example, suggest that the person masturbate in a
private area and not in front of others.
• Set firm boundaries on sexual behavior.
♥ CAREGIVER TIP
Although talking about sex can be embarrassing, it is important for
the person with a TBI and their loved ones to address sexual issues.
Everyone is entitled to express sexuality. Encourage this discussion.
CHANGES IN
COGNITIVE
FUNCTIONING
TBI is often followed by one or more changes in thinking (cognitive)
processes, including:
• Memory problems.
• Slower speed in processing information.
• Problems with paying attention and maintaining concentration.
• Problems with abstract reasoning—not understanding words with
multiple meanings, not understanding examples, taking things too
literally.
• Problems with planning, problem-solving and sequencing (doing
things in the right order).
• Problems with initiating actions (being self-starting).
It is very important to understand these problems when trying to help a
person with a TBI. Each cognitive process will be discussed in more detail in
the following sections of this module.
♥ CAREGIVER TIP
At times, it may appear that the person is refusing to cooperate when
actually he or she is having trouble understanding what needs to be
done or needs more time to respond.
M ODULE 3
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