Orientation can be easily overlooked. Our brains thrive off of being ‘grounded’ meaning, knowing where we are, when it is, and why we are here. Often after a moderate to severe brain injury, starting with cognitive goals that are centered around basic orientation is a way to help with getting back to life. I always like to focus on the structure of it – meaning, taking the anxiety away from a person recovering from a brain injury by ensuring that they know what happened to them, where they are, and what is coming next (this can mean in the next week or even the next hour). Here are a few of my favorite tools to use when trying to implement orientation strategies into the home:
Whiteboard – never underestimate the power of a whiteboard. I like keeping them in an easy to see location – that can mean the fridge, your room, a mirror in the bathroom – there is no one right place, it’s about what works for you. I like to use them for ‘single day reminders’, usually starting with the current date (including day of the week/month/year) and including what will be happening that day. If there are no special events or appointments, then it is a great way to keep track of your daily goals. Remember, we all need purpose to our day. When recovering from a brain injury, it is important to have a daily to-do list.
Planner – I depend heavily on my planner. It not only let’s me keep track of my week, but it is a great way to keep track of what you have done. I love this planner because of the lines for writing. You can include notes on what happened during the day to go over at night to assist with short term memory or to show you how far you have come. Write down when you do something that you weren’t able to do before or if something was easier than the last time you tried. Celebrate all victories and have a way to remind yourself of how far you’ve come especially on the tough days.
Large Wall Calendar – I love using the large calendar as a central location for all information. If it is difficult to write or if you just need a big picture of the month, this is a great one stop shop to stay on top of your game. If you are a caregiver, this can be a great tool to address orientation everyday with your loved one after a brain injury. I call it ‘orientation time’ when you can either ask them questions based on the calendar (e.g. “what do we have coming up today?”) or having an extra visual aide when talking about upcoming events.
Large print digital clock – this one is my favorite. If using a calendar is too visually difficult – often after a brain injury scanning across multiple rows/columns can be challenging – this can be a practical answer. One of the best parts is that this clock tells what time of day it is, meaning, morning/afternoon/evening and can be helpful when struggling with day/night confusion that can often lead to extreme agitation.
Small pocket calendar – if the large planner isn’t quite your style or you feel like it isn’t easy to keep up with, having a small pocket calendar can be the way to go. I love this planner because you can use it as a comprehensive memory strategy by keeping notes, remembering birthdays, and having a place for future goals.
Whatever method you choose, it is important to keep it minimal. I often work with patients who love calendars or taking notes, but they have so many different ones that they can’t remember where they wrote down their appointments. If you like using a calendar, just use one. In this case, less is better, just make sure it something that you like and something that you are able to make into a daily routine. Remember, if it’s too challenging or it was someone else’s idea, the chances are you won’t make it a habit. This is about you!
Visit our services page and schedule your first session today for more information and strategies if you or your loved one is struggling with orientation after a brain injury or call us directly at
480-881-1487
We are here to help you navigate through Life Beyond Rehab.
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