Head Injuries that Cause Memory Loss

Our memories change with age. The older we get, the more common it is to occasionally forget a date or fact. Only when those lapses in memories lead to persistent confusion should there be cause for a medical intervention.

In many cases, that memory loss is gradual. However, certain types of head injuries cause memory loss. It is essential to understand the types of injuries, especially when your loved one is being cared for in a nursing home.

Traumatic Brain Injury

One of the common causes of memory loss from a head injury occurs with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines a TBI as “an injury that can disrupt normal brain function and contributes to a substantial number of hospitalizations each year.”

The CDC found that TBIs accounted for 223,050 of nonfatal hospitalizations in 2018. The highest occurrence of this type of injury was found in men over 75. That’s the exact population of most nursing homes.

A traumatic brain injury can be diagnosed as either mild or severe. It can also be diagnosed as a concussion. Memory loss is one of the common symptoms of a TBI. The following are the symptoms of a mild TBI as described by the Mayo Clinic:

• Headache
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Problems with speech
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Mood changes or mood swings
• Sleeping more than usual

A person can experience a loss of consciousness for anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes with a TBI injury. There could also be no loss of consciousness. Instead, they might simply feel confused or disoriented after the injury occurrence.

How Memory Loss Manifests After a Head Injury

Our memories are part of our cognition process. Cognition is defined as the act of knowing or thinking. If you suffer memory loss after a head injury is could show up in the following ways:

• Forgetting the names of people you know, but not that well.
• Misplacing items like keys, TV remote, glasses and cell phones.
• Inability to recall something that was just told you moments earlier.
• Misremembering recent conversations.
• Missing appointments or forgetting to take medications.

Additionally, you could face challenges with learning and retaining new information or you have difficulty going from one task to another. In other words, you lose your place.

Many of these instances might not be obvious to the victim of a head trauma, but they could be to their loved ones.

Recovering From Memory Loss

The risk of developing dementia increases after a TBI. That is why a complete diagnosis and implementing a recovery plan are crucial. Recovery is different from memory care. Instead, it involves intensive therapy designed to repair neural connections in the brain.

The first three months after a TBI injury are when the brain enters a heightened state of neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to “rewire” itself. Consistent and repetitive exercise accomplishes this, and those exercises can include speech, cognitive, and physical therapies.

Additionally, you can take some proactive steps to help you refocus. For instance, you can start writing things down more such as appointments, or phone calls you need to return. It is no different than writing down a grocery list, which everyone uses. You are just adding to the lists. You can also set reminders on your cell phone.

Set up a “memory spot” where you will always put things like keys, wallet, cell phone, etc. That spot can be in a bowl by your front door. If you get into the habit of dropping those items into the bowl when you get home, they will be there when you need them.

As for your medications, you can get a pill box that has storage for morning, afternoon and evening medications and by the days of the week.

Taking Action

If your loved one exhibits any of the symptoms of a TBI or has the injury reported by your care facility, you must take action. Fortunately, most nursing home facilities are equipped to provide this type of therapy treatment.

However, it is crucial to recognize that the injury has occurred in order to move forward with the therapies.

If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of a TBI, you should contact an experienced attorney to discuss what happened and help you find the best way forward.