Dad's cognitive impairments mean he doesn't understand his prognosis

Hi Amber,

 Thank you for reaching out and sharing your dad and family’s story. We are truly sorry to hear about the challenges that he and your family have been going through.

 It’s heartwarming to see how dedicated you are in finding ways to support him and improve his quality of life.

 We acknowledge that caring for someone with cognitive impairment is incredibly hard. Here are some ideas that may be worth exploring:

1. Speak to his doctor about these recent changes in his behaviour.

You mentioned that he has become increasingly frustrated and depressed.  His GP can do a mental health review to assess and identify if he would benefit from counselling/ and or medication to manage his mood and behaviour.

2. Discuss the benefit or appropriateness of referring on to a geriatrician/ psychologist.

Consulting with these specialists may provide additional specific insights and resources. They can work with carers/ families to put together strategies to help manage his frustration or depression. Liaising with a  psychologist may be the most appropriate way to work out how to explain his situation to him and help him “accept his new self” considering his inability to retain information.

3. Outline some strategies to manage his memory issues.

You may like to read more about practical strategies on memory problems and tips here.

4. Create a positive behaviour support plan.

This article from Synapse discusses a great way to understand challenging behaviour and develop effective responses.

CWA Home (unsw.edu.au) - psychoeducational program for families and carers to learn how to respond in positive and helpful ways to challenging behaviours that their person with a brain injury may engage in 

5. Support groups are a wonderful idea but it is important to discuss this with your dad. His consent and willingness to go and participate is key to making any meaningful interaction. You can start small by asking the residential aged care facility manager if there are any groups in the home that are appropriate for him to join and participate in.

You can also search for a list of support groups here. Select the state and region to narrow down the list.  

Coping with grief and loss following brain injury is an ongoing journey. Grieving who the person used to be can be confusing not just for survivors of stroke but also for their families. It is important to acknowledge ambiguous loss and seek support for the entire family unit, as this will allow families to focus on strengths and find meaning in their new realities. Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) is a place for carer support, services, resources, and education. Although there may be a waitlist, they also provide free in-person or over-the-phone counselling for carers.  

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEDT and would be happy to have a chat with you. 

Best, 

StrokeLine