Introduction
Medical and physical treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) cannot fully stand alone in restoration of a patient’s health in many cases. An additional program based on cognitive behaviour is also required for mental and emotional stability. Both programs, however, are only aimed at restoring the patient into their maximum achievable potential rather than taking the patients to their original capability.
The programs involve a holistic approach that conclusively is based on family, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, teachers and nurses’ participation. From the case study, a life care plan can be drawn for improvement of her health.
Neuropsychiatric Examination
The patient should be scheduled regularly to neurologist and psychiatrist evaluation for health follow up. The frequency of these appointments will be different based on the patient’s conditions. Evaluations are necessary for suggestions on appropriate intervention measures following the patient’s new heath conditions (Thurman, Alverson, & Dunn, 1999).
Holistic Approach
The therapy program should be conclusive and not divided into segments. From the case study, the patient faces problems in general of situations hence the process of her rehabilitation needs a complete individual approach. All therapies i.e. speech therapy should be conducted in all settings and not only in one area, for instance, when the patient is seated.
The therapies should be focused on mastery development and recognitions. However, cognitive therapies should be carried out in a home setting or familiar places to enable the patient to easily conceptualize with the aid of her environment. Her lessons need to be scheduled at least twice a week (Thurman et al., 2005)
Administration of Group Therapy
The patient needs to identify herself with others. This is vital for individualistic development. This can be conducted twice a week. Interaction should involve discussions and plays. This also acts as her learning ground on what is going around. The goal of socialization programs is to alleviate emotions such as anger and depression. Group therapy needs to involve a population of survivors of traumatic brain injury. This will enable the patient to develop a positive attitude towards her ambitions and goals (Thurman et al., 2005).
Structured Life Pattern
Neuropsychological individuals need tough schedules in their lives. Follow up of schedules like; waking up, taking breakfast, shopping and learning terms should be tightly structured. This ensures that the brain is put in auto pilot hence it gets accustomed to such schedules and enhances creativity, novelty in diverse areas and memory development.
Scheduling will control her sleeping habit such as reducing daytime sleeping. Additionally, she will be able to control her eating habit as well. Schedules also reduce forgetfulness among the patients. Additionally, tight structures reduce constant decision making processes thus injured individual’s capabilities increases (Thurman et al., 2005)
Familiar Setting
Neuropsychological patients find difficulties in generalizing new information as well as learning new things. Familiar settings encourage their brain developments and recall capacities, which enhance the learning process. The patient care program should be carried out in her community and home setting (Thurman et al., 2005).
Conclusion
The patient needs repeated neuropsychological evaluations to monitor her progress; these can be carried out within a year or two. The evaluation is important to enable the neuropsychiatric to determine the level of progress made by the intervention program.
The screenings normally carried out include; post trauma, educational screening, job employment and transition and the possibility of developing dementia. Under well supervision system, this life care plan will enable the patient to gradually regain her maximum psychological potential. Additionally, the program should be carried out throughout the patient’s life.
Reference
Thurman, D., Alverson, C. & Dunn, K. (1999). Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: A public Health Perspective. Journal of Head Trauma and Rehabilitation, 14(6), 602-615.