Traumatic brain injury can lead to a whole host of injuries and disabilities in a person. If your loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury, they may benefit from the use of assistive technology. There are many different types of assistive technology that might benefit your loved one, depending on what injuries and disabilities they have sustained. You can learn more about assistive technology and how it can help your loved one here.
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology is a term that refers to any equipment that can help a disabled person communicate, move, or function in their everyday life. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to a lot of different types of disabilities, including emotional, physical, and mental issues. Assistive technology can help these patients with various tasks, such as:
- Seeing
- Hearing
- Eating
- Walking or getting around
- Talking or communicating in some other way
Assistive technology ranges from very simple devices such as ramps so that a person can get from place to place in a wheelchair, to advanced equipment such as a voice recognition program. Popular forms of assistive technology to help those facing traumatic brain injuries include:
- Visual aides, like contacts, glasses, and special computer monitors
- Power wheelchairs
- Embossers and braille readers
- Sip and puff systems controlled through breathing
- Computer equipment and programs, such as personalized keyboards and screen readers
What Assistive Technology is Right for Your Loved One?
Because there are so many types of assistive technology, it can be difficult to narrow down the right one(s) for your loved one. Here are a few tips to help you find the right options for your loved one:
- Take advantage of simple assistive technology. For those suffering from traumatic brain injury, serious assistance may be required. But, your family should also take advantage of simple, affordable assistive technology options. Find technology that is easy to use and won’t require a lot of maintenance. While you may need some complex technology, you can also take advantage of simple solutions.
- Establish a team for your loved one. If your loved one is suffering from multiple issues and disabilities, find several different types of specialists to help. Each new team member will have suggestions for assistive technology that could help your loved one. Take advantage of an interdisciplinary approach to find the best assistive technology for your loved one.
- Trial and error. Don’t be afraid to test out multiple types of assistive technology while you search for the right one(s) for your loved one. Some technology may sound good, but won’t end up working for your loved one in a day to day setting. So, try to test the technology before making an ultimate decision if you should use it or not.
Getting Help
Finding the right assistive technology for your loved one can be a lengthy, expensive process. You can rely on your loved one’s doctor to help you navigate this process and find the right technology for your loved one. If you are looking for additional assistance and resources, contact my office. I can not only help you find technology, but I could also help you pay for it if we file a personal injury lawyer on your loved one’s behalf.
