[kalamity_jane]

I'm new here so sorry if this has been asked before but how do you cope with the daily distress of your symptoms? Especially when you live alone and have to do embarrassing things like fone a friend and ask how do you use your coffee maker coz you can't remember...or where do you usually put your keys coz their not on the hook?

Sorry if this seems a silly question to anybody but it's the sort of thing I frequently find distressing. So does anybody else live like this and how do you cope with the distress?

Thank you in advance to anyone who answers, sorry if this is posted in the wrong place...and peace & love to you all.

[Dmom3005]

First, you need to come up with a routine for where you would like to
hopefully find your keys. And things like this.

I know that its hard but work on it. Maybe go have another set made
to keep in a safe place. Always try to put the extra set back after
using at home.

And when it comes to how to call someone and ask how to use household
items, this is part of your tbi, so maybe find a support group. This is
something were you need a person that can be used as a therapist
like that you can call for support. Maybe there are others going thourgh
the same thing that have already figured out how to solve these dilemnas.

I didn't have these kind of problems so I'm not good help on this one.

I am here to listen though. And there is no wrong place to ask as far
as I'm concerned.

Donna

[kalamity_jane]

Thank you Donna, that's a useful answer and thank you for taking the time.

[SandyC]

My hubby has brain damage from seizures five years ago. He learned to accept it and doesn't feel so bad asking for help anymore. If you have loveable friends and family who understand it makes the world of difference doesn't it?

One thing Jim used and still does is a voice recorder. He lists things he needs to remember on it. Not to mention how useful it is to me when we go shopping so I don't forget either! You could list how to use the coffee machine and things like that when it happens. Then you would have something to help you instead of calling others?

I hope more come in to offer suggestions. We are here for you anytime. Shoot, come here when you forget something and I am sure there will be someone who can help you.

[kalamity_jane]

Sandy thank you, I never thought of using a voice-recorder. I've written it down so I don't forget to buy one. Thank you and take care.

[froglady]

Klamity, I use a tape recorder too and also keep a small pocket size notebook with me at all times, to write down any thoughts I don't want to lose or where I put something. Try writing out the instructions, when you can think of them, for the washer dryer, coffe pot, etc. I have had to make notes because I kept forgetting to put the clothes on the right load size. It has been a year for me and at the age of 65 now I also have some normal aging issues so I get double whammy sometimes.
My husband is afraid I am going to burn down the house while cooking when he is not home, so I am beginning to use the crock pot. At least it won't set the house on fire when I think I am cutting on the right eye on the stove and cut the wrong one. I also set a clock when I cook to remeind me I am cooking. If I am not looking at what I am doing like cooking or washing clothes I forget about it! Can't drive anymore either due to my attention span being so short driving. I look off the road and forget to look back at it! Whoops, that is not to safe. Gaye

[kalamity_jane]

Hi Gaye, thanks for your ideas on the pocket notebook. I'm like you when it comes to things like cooking. If I'm cooking and go to answer the door/fone then afterwards I don't know that I was cooking til my smoke alarms go off. I find it safer to just not cook though coz an alarm going off is no good if I've forgot I'm cooking and leave the house.

Take care and drive safe

[Victorya]

After his TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), my husband attended a monthy TBI support group at a local hospital specializing in head injuries.

Just being able to speak with other people going through the same thing he was helped him immensely.

My husband relies heavily on what I call a "brain-in-a-box"...a hand held computer, although alot of people in his support group used PalmPilots, etc.

One older man at the support groups even walked around with a huge stack of 3x5 index cards. Anything that he came across that he thought could be of value to him in the future, got written down on an index card.

He had some kind of filing system that enabled him to find just about anything he wanted with minimal effort. It was like his short term memory was on a stack of 3x5 cards, instead of in his head.

But you know what? The card system worked for him.

The idea is to find a system that works, even if it's different from the way you used to do it.

[jeffn]

Hi Victorya, I've been using the 3x5 cards for about 2 years now and it works for me I usually have 5-6 items on the card and I can keep them in my pocket. It also helps that I have to write thing down, so I become more organized and get more done during the day.

Simple and it works.

Jeffn

[Vowel Lady]

This pales in comparison to the great difficulties experienced here, but I am taking one medication (for sure...well documented) that causes cognitive impairment and another one that might cause this. I take them for a medical condition. The last few years have been upsetting because I don't feel like myself at all and in some ways, feel like I have aged many years. It is also embarassing for me when folks much older than myself are better able to remember things.

I LOVE the idea of using the index cards! (Thank you). Of course, writing things down in the general has been helpful.

I also have a phone recorder service with the phone company. It replaces the traditional recorder box, most of us went out and purchased many years ago.

Most mornings, I leave myself a wake up call. In the call, I "remind" myself of what I need to do that morning. This is because I find the mornings to the most difficult period of time of all to recall what needs to be done, etc.

In addition, I am exploring various vitamins/supplements that might be of help. I know that it is just a drop in the bucket, but I believe every little bit helps. Some things to explore include: The B vitamins (many take what is called a B50 tablet...sort of like a B multi) and Omega 3's (You can get this with certain foods like fish oil). I also take Centrum Silver. I have heard it say even if you are close to the age of 50, those "types" of vitamins are really of good quality and should be considered. I also take extra of the B12 vitamin.

My husband, who enjoys good health, but is older than 50, says that routine and keeping a list helps him remember all that he needs to do in a day.