Precautions and Safety for Head Injured who are More Vunerable to Identity Theft, Scams and Money Handling Isues

Safety for head injured is so important  even in simple activities. So much is available for things as shower and bathroom safety, adaptations for daily activities as driving or for employment plus of course quad canes, walkers, regular canes and even wheel chairs. For therapy, there are experts who can help us with physical therapy, occupational therapy even psychologically. However, an important aspect of life is in financial matters handling money, saving, spending without thinking clearly and possibly worse is care of financial and personal information not only for the injured but nearby caretakers or relatives , even friends.

I can tell you from experience of making mistakes with money funds and decisions that are not clear I have lost money to scammers and made well lets just say they seem stupid buying decisions.

You can tell some head injured as myself cautions or warnings how to protect information or money safe, yet people or marketing in emails, phonecalls , tv ads even all are skilled or well prepared to separate people from their money. This can happen to anyone of course but head injured especially.
Hand written notes so they don't answer solicitors at front door or God forbid, even let them in the house.  An example is when a couple people posed as utility dressed workers wanted to enter a home because they were receiving signals in the office   that showed huge power consumption leaks and  needed to check wiring in an electrical box.. While one person talked to the head injured keeping them distracted, the other went through the house getting valuables and personal information of others in the household.

This is just an example of what has happened and could happen. But there are several other 'front doors ' that scammers use. They will use email, regular postal mail and even public options as radio and tv are threats too.

Some precautions are as listed above to keep notes available as reminders not to let others into the home always say something as I have to talk to my spouse or a relative or close friend first before making a decision etc.

For email , software some free from providers can filter many types of scam emails but some 'fishing' scam emails still get through. When a head injured as I see these banks or well known websites asking to verify information by logging in  just clicking a link or calling a toll free number; we don't always think clearly and some may fall for these scam emails.

We can put phone numbers on a do not call list that the government provides but unscrupulous scammers still will call. Always better to include reminders not to give out info or have to confide in another first.

We can't stop the mail from being delivered but family members or an authorized caretaker can share a post office box where mail can be viewed.

The previous items addressed scammers but day to day there are simple things as keeping money wallet put away. It s difficult to tell a head injured to care for wallet or credit cards out in public places. I have left my wallet on top of an atm and walked away a couple times!
It happens. I've taken my bank card out of wallet  put in slacks and sometimes if I'm lucky the dry cleaners has it attached to my clothes.
I've found my credit card in a machine at the laundry mat or under a car seat and never knew it was missing.

These are just some items but the point of posting is to create extra attention not only for us head injured but for the people around us.

Bless You
LE

You can receive free the full Free Special Report for Head Injury Victims and Caretakers which Reveals MUST KNOW patient and caregiver Resources, potential symptoms, behavioral and emotional consequences, steps in rehabilitation, creating a beneficial home environment, brain injury medications, long-term outlook, and more..
[Click Here - a new window will open]

Help for Head Injured or People with Hemiparesis and help for Life After Trauma, Brain Injury, Stroke or Spinal Cord Injuries and for Caretakers at my Hemiparesis website.

Head Injury Talk is a website that is updated daily with Head injury news and rehab videos from the web plus discussion groups and best of blogs

Get a Free Healthy Brain Nutrition Report , FREE Retrain Your Brain with brainwave entrainment pdf and Subconscious Mind MP3s, with OPtimize Brain Power 5 Day Ecourse, Articles and excerpts from my IQ Mind Brain Personal Success Library plus Stay Alerted To New Website Articles, Updates & Breakthroughs all Free at http://www.IQMindBranLibrary.com

You may also be interested in other articles and posts: Tips for Living Alone After Head Injury with Hemiparesis and Avoiding Falls and Injuries Brain Games and Improving Brain Function Safety Shoes at Work for Hemiparesis    

P.S. For Peace, Visit http://www.medjugorje.org/

Neck and Back do not Snap Crackle and Pop as it warms up this year and every year with Hemiparesis

Waking up today  as  others with hemiparesis , I have to sit up on the side of the bed for a little while before I try to get out of bed. Well this morning  springtime here in the southeast, my back and neck were much easier to move. There was much less resistance when I twisted getting up and pushing off the bed with my better arm. I moved my neck side to side and wow what a difference. Back in February when temperatures outside were less than freezing, my neck would 'crackle and pop' when I tried to move it side to side. I could hardly do this and then when I put weight on my legs y back would be in pain  very sensitive to walk and limited movement. As I stretched in morning as my own Dr. suggested leaning up against a close wall before I tried to step forward, things loosened up and moved easier.

Well today most of that discomfort is gone. This happens to different degrees every year as we get away from winter weather and it warms up. For me it needs to be 70+ outside for several days as leat. We are in the upper 70s the last few days and even went over 80F yesterday.
It feels So Good not to feel the pain I did in February below freezing. I am better rested at night and have more energy daily.

This will continue as the summer gets here and I  look forward to the days when I can move my neck side to side easily. (The head and neck area is where I was shot back in my early twenties and now decades later  I have picked up many 'techniques' to ease movement, increase safety and minimize painful times. I understand it is difficult for major moves for many but a move to a warmer climate turned out to be such a blessing after living in the snowbelt until I turned 30. The ice can be fatal if not prepared. I had to travel in the winter in a wheelchair up North at times because of safety but here in South it is so much better especially this time of year, spring, summer and later in the year fall.

I don't like to use that word ... fall ...)

I wanted to mention that for us who hae had an injury to back or head or hemiparesis heating pads in lower back region can be great help too. However, heating pads can get very hot if left on long times.
There are low heat pads that are great for putting on a chair or even in bed that stay on up to 8
HRs . These can be used during sleep and I use them in winter and can attest to feeling so much better in the morning and throughout day until getting tired of course later.
At this writing, they were available at QVC.com where
I got mine.

I'll look up page... long link but if you have trouble with link
just go to qvc.com and search these words

heat pad low level heat

or try this link

http://www.qvc.com/Sunbeam-Slumberheat-Low-Level-Heat-10-Hr.-Shutoff-Warming-Pad-Search-Results.product.V32335.html?sc=V32335-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-3-_-V32335&catentryImage=http://images.qvc.com/is/image/v/35/v32335.001?$uslarge$



Cheers

LE

You can receive free the full Free Special Report for Head Injury Victims and Caretakers which Reveals MUST KNOW patient and caregiver Resources, potential symptoms, behavioral and emotional consequences, steps in rehabilitation, creating a beneficial home environment, brain injury medications, long-term outlook, and more..
[Click Here - a new window will open]

Help for Head Injured or People with Hemiparesis and help for Life After Trauma, Brain Injury, Stroke or Spinal Cord Injuries and for Caretakers at my Hemiparesis website.

Head Injury Talk is a website that is updated daily with Head injury news and rehab videos from the web plus discussion groups and best of blogs

Get a Free Healthy Brain Nutrition Report , FREE Retrain Your Brain with brainwave entrainment pdf and Subconscious Mind MP3s, with OPtimize Brain Power 5 Day Ecourse, Articles and excerpts from my IQ Mind Brain Personal Success Library plus Stay Alerted To New Website Articles, Updates & Breakthroughs all Free at http://www.IQMindBranLibrary.com

You may also be interested in other articles and posts: Tips for Living Alone After Head Injury with Hemiparesis and Avoiding Falls and Injuries Brain Games and Improving Brain Function Safety Shoes at Work for Hemiparesis    

P.S. For Peace, Visit http://www.medjugorje.org/

Safety Shoes at Work for Hemiparesis

The company I work for right now made it mandatory to wear steel toe shoes even for some in the offices. On occasion people in offices as I have to walk through the plant.

This short post today  may save you some pain in your feet if you have had an injury toleg or you are dragging it sometimes because of hemiparesis.

Sure the company pays for the basic shoes up to a limit but there is a concern with how they are fitted for us. The people on the shoe trucks sell a lot of shoes but chances are they haven't fit any for the way we walk. The safety shoes can be painful if fitted normally while you sit.

Our feet don't move 'normally' in a straight line and movement is not consistent. When I;m tired in morning or late in the day my leg may drag or I may swing it around too much. This causes the foot to swivel side to side within the shoe. With a steel toe this causes rubbing nd when shoes have to be on all day, even redness and bleeding.
What has worked for me is going up a size and getting extra wide.

This however will cost more (for wider safety shoes with steel toes) from my experience anyway. Hopefully this will change but it will more than likely be more expensive than standard allotment by a company for safety shoes.

Its not really fair that if you have a bad leg motion from a head injury or hemiparesis that we have to pay extra for safety equipment to work. Someone may bring it up but with this injury being less than 1 out of 100,000  in the workforce anyway.. Its not going to get much attention ...

Make the Best of Every Day!

Improving Brain Function of Head Injured and Hemiparesis victims with Simple Brain Games

I am speaking from my own personal experience. Others will need to consult with their own physicians and therapists of course.My own head injury and recovery, well documented and besdides this site with a collection of helpful articles from professionals and even a few of my own…I also can be read in the self improvement arena as you can find me on selfgrowth.com, where I’m now the mind power expert with mind brain health and success articles , [Click Here to read my bio on self growth, a new window will open] ,
OK, let me summarize briefly my condition of my brain health and how well I’ve recovered. I know everyone is affected differently and I’ve been blessed in my recovery. ( my hemiparesis success story) .

Anyway, It wasnt right away but a couple years after , i was tested with a simple game that checks brain agility, memory, concentration, even brain speed and determines your brain age. Turns out , It said my brain was was close to 70 (I was in my 20s at the time) but the computed calculated my brain age based on slow reaction, slow thinking, inability to speak clearly, and of course solving simple problems or puzzles.
But my age at that time was 40 + years younger. But let me tell you, I was coming up with correct answers but I couldnt vocalize quickly nor move the pen accurately, so while there was a huge issue with cognitive processing, even the connection between mind and hand , eye etc was not there. Of course , I was using my good side to move the stylus . No way could I uee my weak side at the time. I mean I can use it for grasping large objects but just not the fine dexterity like the good side or should I just say better side as the tips of all my fingers just dont have the sensitivity they used to.
But first let me showe you how I went from 70 tol 30 in brain age. I optimized every aspect of brain health and improvement I could access of course butr simple brain games helped immensely. YOu can statr by getting easy puzzles even at the grocery store. I think I statred out with large mazes for little kids, I mean preschool puzzles, really.
After awhile I progressed and found that there had been a game played on Nintendo ds that was benefitting people of all ages but especiall aging adults who needed to keep their brain health, speed, memory, concentration, more of course.
So  I figure, what could it hurt? I could get aggravatyed if I could do anything but my one hand wasnt too bad , so I got a nintendo and Brain Age. I got mine at Walmart but they are all around.
Heres a ;link to Amazon where you can get a good deal and even get used ones if they are in stock/

• Brain Age Games from Nintendo or visit http://astore.amazon.com/brainagegames-20

I also saw a great idea for Hand and Arm Rehabilitation System on a video from You Tube
You can Watch the Hand and Arm Rehabilitation System  video,
here, http://musclebuildingworkout.net/rejoyce-hand-and-arm-rehabilitation-system/

You can view some
Hemiparesis rehab videos here
http://musclebuildingworkout.net/?s=hemiparesis
Leon Edward

Head Injury Talk is a website that is updated daily with Head injury news and rehab videos from the web plus discussion groups and best of blogs

Get a Free Healthy Brain Nutrition Report , FREE Retrain Your Brain with brainwave entrainment pdf and Subconscious Mind MP3s, with OPtimize Brain Power 5 Day Ecourse, Articles and excerpts from my IQ Mind Brain Personal Success Library plus Stay Alerted To New Website Articles, Updates & Breakthroughs all Free at http://www.IQMindBranLibrary.com To learn more of programming your subconscious mind , visit my website , get a free MP3 and a free subscription to my Subconscious Mind Power newsletter http://www.justvisualizeit.net
P.S. For Peace, Visit http://www.medjugorje.org/

Tips for Living Alone After Head Injury with Hemiparesis and Avoiding Falls and Injuries

Hemiparesis Living is difficult even when you have close family support or caretaker close by. However as we who have been injured in some way, or previously experienced head injury brain damage resulting in hemiparesis, as we age, or children grow up, spouses may move apart find ourselves living alone.

After Head Injury The detrimental effects of hemiparesis do not go away

and with aging even exhibit stronger effects where the need for safety and extra care by one self is increased. Myself. I was shot in the head in my early twenties followed by a coma and much rehabilitation in trauma unit and hospital. I was fortunate to be able to study engineering earning my degree, but most of the two decades that followed have had me dealing with implications of living with hemiparesis and to be honest as an engineer, found myself analyzing issues that came about and finding or developing best practices or methods. I hope these insights can be used or adapted to help others going through life after head injury or hemiparesis.

Safety Risks and Minimizing Hemiparesis Effects

Starting with safety. in general I can tell you that for myself and many spoken with in person or in online groups too, the worse effects that occur are when the body is tired. A close second is in the cold, freezing temperatures and inclement weather as snow sleet, etc.
By tired I say early in morning or especially late in the day. Arising in the night for whatever reason, can find legs extra wobbly and rather easy to lose one’s balance. Having halls where light can go on easily, possibly a motion detector switch and uncluttered walkways are a couple basics that can help prevent a sudden slip or poor footing. This can really prevent serious further injury. Trust me, one shoe or slipper on a dark walkway can turn out to be a violent fall. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a poor balance issue. Sometimes the weaker foot from say for example left hemiparesis or right hemiparesis will turn sideways and instead of landing on flat bottom part of foot., will actually land on the side of foot even at an angle sometimes. This can cause a quick fall and when this happens, a first reaction is to use the strong hand to grab onto something to catch balance. If there isn’t anything on the strong side, then a fall is really likely or partial fall likely. Keep this in mind when keeping the hall and bath safe. Railings are great, but easy to grab handles, even small ledges can help give a person’s balance back. They have support bars with suction cup handles, and battery powered motion lights that can be added economically for safety. Check a local large hardware store as Lowes. Please. After a Head Injury, the risk for another Head Injury is increased but not necessarily if care is taken.
Besides having something available on good side, simply walking slower, smaller steps will help. Walking in socks alone on some surfaces can be like walking on ice to a person with hemiparesis. For example. I can walk OK on most carpets that are wall to wall but when I approach tile or ceramic flooring or a throw rug, slow way down for safety. A common issue in people with either left hemiparesis or right hemiparesis is tripping forward when their weaker toe drags and often is close enough to floor to catch it on a carpet or even have the toes roll over. Not having proper control of these toes will look to others as not picking up the foot enough. This effect can happen so fast and somewhat unpredictable. However, going back to the first premise, this will occur more often when the body is tired or weakened in some way possibly even from extreme weather changes. It is obviously more of a possibility when walking faster. Walking faster increases the risk. Note that there are items available in stores or online to adhere throw rugs to the floors surface. This simple action can be a life saver.

Regarding Assistive Devices
Some therapists and caretakers recommend canes either a quad cane or straight cane but I can tell you after a couple decades with hemiparesis, canes do not always work, they can actually give you a false sense of security causing people to move faster but not able to protect oneself in an accident. Most of the time almost always it’s the weak side that has the foot dragging or catching on something, maybe a rug or object or just twisting so that it lands on the side. And what happens next is either I would fall straight ahead and to the left very fast or tip sideways again to the left. I am using left here as the weaker side or left hemiparesis. Now the cane would be in the stronger hand, on the right side in this case and is not much help on the left. The left arm in many of left hemiparesis wont do much good either as it is too weak to prevent the fall and probably too slow to do anything in time.
If a walker is recommended and one can be modified to use with one weakened side, then use it. Of course, you’ll want to learn to walk without it but for some it’s best to keep using. Check with your own health professional.
In the early days after a head injury or accident, wheelchairs are commonly use and effectively safe. Myself, I’ve used one after the coma for almost two years before graduating to a quad cane and then later using just he regular cane and now years later without the cane during the warmer months.
This last point is important with regards to wheel chairs. I had lived in the snow belt up in the Northeast when I was first injured and the use of the wheelchair was indeed a life saver with the snow and ice. It is not feasible for most to leave their home areas but if at all possible as people with hemiparesis age, a move to the southern climate or even out west is well advised.

Living with hemiparesis and living alone

can be safer in the warmer climates, free of ice and snow. That may be obvious for walking but there are other benefits as well. The sunshine daily may even help your thinking and overall attitude positively, Sure you may still get a month or two of weather where it reaches freezing but it does not stay there for long. Aches and Pains can virtually disappear. People’s old injuries are often painful in cold moist weather. This is not different for head injuries, but in this case it may very be the brain that suffers pain. It is also the control center for emotions and that too can be better in the warmer climate. Lessons learned.
- Author Leon Edward

Receive FREE Report for Head Injury Victims and Caretakers plus New Articles Weekly click here [a new window will open , or you can subscribe in the box below].
Here At HemiparesisLiving.com , you can review, print out Checklists and tips from well known professionals and authors in the field plus blogs on the author and blog owner’s own experiences with over two decades living and working with hemiparesis.

Also, At his Brain improvement site. IQMindBrainLibrary.com, he presents everyone interested in improving thinking , tips, techniques, to improve focus and concentration, ways to remember better and increase our memory skills, techniques to focus better and read faster, resources to optimize your brain power, use all of your intellect and even increase your IQ including brain software and audio training. you can receive free ebooks , reports and even a brainwave meditation MP3 to calm and focus your mind at his IQMindBrainLibrary Website Newsletter, click here

To learn more of programming your subconscious mind , visit my website , get a free MP3 and a free subscription to my Subconscious Mind Power newsletter http://www.justvisualizeit.net

P.S. For Peace, Visit http://www.medjugorje.org/