Keeping your heart healthy is not only excellent advice to prevent heart attacks but also to prevent strokes. The heart is the best known part of the cardiovascular system. The heart takes the blood and pumps it throughout the body. The heart is the “cardio” part of the cardiovascular system. The arteries and veins that carry the blood from the heart to the body and back are the “vascular” part of the cardiovascular system. A stroke is when part of the vascular system, usually an artery, gets blocked or breaks. In 2021, Stroke was the #5 cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 160,000 deaths.
Since the cardiovascular system is one large system, health issues that impact the heart also impact the arteries and veins. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, the three health issues that are most commonly associated with a risk for a heart attack, are also associated with a risk for a stroke. Fortunately, these three health issues can all be modified for better health and longer life. These three issues are best modified by the combined focus on healthy eating, exercise and taking medications. Following a stroke, these health issues are a focus for patients at Moody Neuro.
Focusing on each of these issues, therapists at Moody Neuro may have to help the patient with special considerations due to their stroke event. When considering healthy eating and taking of medications, speech therapists may identify modifications in the food or medicine due to swallowing difficulties. Swallowing difficulties (also known as dysphagia) are very serious, and if modifications are not made, the patient is at risk of choking or aspiration pneumonia. Physical therapists and occupational therapists may identify modifications to exercise routines based on the patient’s physical limitations. For instance, a patient with balance issues may be at a safety risk when walking for exercise but may be perfectly safe on an exercise bike. Recreation therapists may identify new activities for the patient to engage in so the patient is not simply sitting at home, as the patient’s limitations may stop them from engaging in previous hobbies and interests. Counseling may help the patient with mood and adjustment issues surrounding healthy living. Large changes in lifestyle can be emotionally daunting and the more overwhelmed a patient feels by the change, the less likely they are to engage in a healthy lifestyle.
The good news about heart and stroke health is that many factors that contribute to health problems can be modified by the patient and their health care team. At Moody Neuro, these are a focus of rehabilitation, including the potential modifications due to having a stroke event.
This may involve commitments of abstinence from alcohol or illicit substances, cessation of dangerous hobbies or reduction of aggressive behaviors. All of these are fantastic commitments for anyone to make, with or without a brain injury. However, some survivors fall into a trap that leads to a failure of their noble goals. Namely, they try to replace something with nothing.
When anyone makes a choice to stop an unhealthy behavior, they need to find a healthy behavior to take its place. For instance, if a person is accustomed to going to the bar for two hours every day just saying “I am not going to the bar anymore” is not enough. The person has 14 hours a week of empty time which, if not filled in a healthy manner, will likely lead to the person going back to the bar or engaging in a similarly unhealthy task. The same thing can be said for an unhealthy emotional behavior. A person with a history of verbal aggression can decide “I am not going to yell anymore” but unless that person learns a different action to take when upset, they are likely to go back to yelling. The rationale behind this is that stopping a negative behavior does not mean that a positive behavior will replace it; stopping the negative behavior just leaves a vacuum of behavior. That vacuum will need to be filled with a positive behavior and if not filled, will likely lead the survivor to return to the previous negative behavior.
Finding that “something”, which will be unique for each brain injury survivor, is a key part of therapy. Therapists spend time with patients identifying potential new activities or hobbies to engage in and problem-solving how to engage in those activities and hobbies most successfully. Many of the skills taught in therapy, such as stress management or social skills, are taught with the specific intent on replacing unhealthy emotional behaviors with healthy behaviors. Each patient is different in their skills, backgrounds, and life situations, so healthy behaviors, activities and skills have to be tailored to the individual patient. Physical, cognitive and emotional skills must all be taken into consideration. Survivors will sometimes state that they will “figure it out when I get home”. However, this means that the survivor is going home with no plan on how to replace the unhealthy behaviors and may have to figure things out as problematic situations arrive. It is always best to have a plan for healthy behaviors at home to maximize success and truly achieve positive life changes. You can’t replace something with nothing.
This year marks Moody Neuro’s 40th anniversary of providing breakthroughs in brain injuries! We are very grateful to everyone for their continuous support over the past 40 years. Moody Neuro has helped hundreds of patients and we look forward to serving hundreds more.
On Thursday, October 20th, 2022, we recognized our 40th anniversary celebration with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce at our Galveston location.
Several of our board members were present along with employees, residents, family members and past residents who all came together to celebrate the Moody Neurorehabilitation program.
In 1982, Moody Neurorehabilitation opened its doors with a core mission in mind: to provide personalized care to treat the unique challenges of brain injury with a singular purpose of achieving the best possible outcomes for patients and families.
In 1996, we received Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)accreditation. Moody Neuro is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on community reentry for those struggling after acquired brain injuries. We are also unique in that our goals reach beyond the patient — we extend support to their families as well.
We’re proud of the experienced and committed professionals who staff Moody Neuro’s three Texas based facilities. Without their kindness, caring and extensive expertise, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful.
In 1998, we opened the doors to Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute at Tideway located in Galveston, Texas. This long-term supported living facility for survivors of brain injury rest just one block away from the beautiful Galveston Island beach.
With the success in Galveston and the lives changed growing in numbers, we decided to expand the mission throughout Texas. In April of 2008, we opened our doors to serve the communities in and around Lubbock, Texas. Our Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute at Lubbock program serves adults with acquired and traumatic brain injuries as well as spinal cord injuries. While at Moody Lubbock we provide our patients with the tools they need to regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Our newest facility is set to open spring of 2023. The Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute, Space Center, located in Nassau Bay, Texas will feature the latest technology, private rooms, many with murphy beds for family members, as well as four family apartments so they can be present and support the patient during treatment.
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>Find out more about our future facility here.
We would not be here today if it weren’t for the support of our past patients. Read what our patients are saying about the programs at Moody Neuro.
“The treatments are phenomenal … the staff here know that everyone’s different, and they have a strategy that can help each one of us through it. It’s just amazing to see all the things that they do for each individual that’s here.”
—Wesley (Patient)
Check out our success stories and videos, or contact us to submit your own!
The Moody Neuro team will celebrate 40 years of hard work and incredible results with our employees on October 27 at our Galveston location and on October 28 at our Lubbock location. This is our way to give back to the employees and recognize those who have dedicated so much to our success.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their support and dedication over the years. If you have any questions or would simply like to reach out for more information, contact us today.
For the latest updates and news regarding Moody Neuro, please follow our Facebook page. If you or your loved one is a past resident, we would love to connect with you on our Alumni page.
Early June brings hurricane season to Texas, and with that comes a fresh reminder of the need to plan for emergencies. People often don’t realize the full extent of consideration that new challenges require following a brain injury. They particularly may not understand new challenges regarding emergency situations, such as sheltering and evacuation.
In this blog, we’ll tell you some useful and effective ways to approach those new challenges when planning for an emergency with a brain injury survivor. We’ll cover how to address transportation issues, medical and health concerns, and cognitive and emotional difficulties in the wake of a traumatic brain injury.
[Related: Taking Care of Yourself While Caring for a Loved One]
After a brain injury, many possible issues may arise concerning transportation preparedness during an emergency. We’ve listed some of those issues below.
Is the brain injury survivor able to drive independently to safety?
If the survivor hasn’t been cleared to drive, it’s vital to identify a responsible person capable of transporting them to safety.
Can a friend or relative drive the survivor, or does the survivor need to be evacuated through a municipal program?
If they must use a municipal program, are they registered for the program?
Many states provide emergency evacuation services for the disabled and elderly. We recommend that all persons with disabilities register with their local 211 system or another similar emergency evacuation system, even if they already have an emergency plan in place.
Registering with an emergency evacuation system doesn’t mean the survivor has to use the services it offers. However, it provides a safety net in case an emergency plan doesn’t work. Additionally, 211 services are free, so there should be no issues regarding registration costs.
Deciding which vehicle will be best to use during an evacuation is an important step when preparing for an emergency. Consider whether you have a vehicle that can accommodate everyone who would evacuate, as well as the necessary equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.).
If the brain injury survivor has a physical difficulty that may affect their ability to enter or exit a vehicle, it’s important that other people in the vehicle know the appropriate transfer process and can assist them.
[Related: What Do Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep Disorders Have to Do With One Another?]
Preplan and locate rest stops that people with disabilities can access. If the brain injury survivor is incontinent, it’s important to find rest stops that have enough room for clothing changes and cleanup. Rest stops often simply put a grab bar in a regular-sized stall to comply with accessibility laws, but unfortunately such restrooms remain inaccessible from any practical perspective.
For those who take medication or frequently use assistive equipment, make sure you store that medication or equipment in an easily accessible location in the vehicle. You should definitely not store medication in an area of the vehicle prone to excessive heat because the medication may lose its potency.
The cardinal rule of evacuation is that the earlier you leave, the less potential you have for transportation problems.
In addition to transportation, it’s important to consider medical and health concerns for post-brain injury patients when preparing for an emergency. We’ve listed some of these concerns below.
When people must evacuate from areas affected by a natural disaster, evacuated cities immediately experience a population surge. This puts a remarkable strain on any local medical system, particularly pharmacies.
For example, let’s say a city has pharmacies normally prepared to have enough on-hand medication for a population of 50,000. Following an evacuation, the population may increase to 70,000 or more. Most pharmacies aren’t equipped to deal with this increase, and medication shortages inevitably occur.
Most government agencies recommend that people bring one to two weeks’ worth of medication with them when they evacuate. You may want to err on the side of caution and bring enough for two weeks to one month. You should use this same general rule when preparing a stock of disposable medical items, such as syringes, incontinence supplies and testing strips.
[Related: What Are the Top 10 Most Common Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms?]
Most medications are sensitive to heat. Keeping medications in the trunk of a car or a similar location on a warm day can cause them to degrade. Furthermore, many medications (such as insulin) require refrigeration. When in a vehicle, consider storing such medications in an icebox with cold packs or a portable refrigeration device.
You should also keep medications in their original boxes or bottles and transport them in a container you can seal and reseal. Plastic bags with a zipper work great for this situation.
Don’t take medications and place them all into one container. This can be a nightmare to sort through later and can lead to crucial delays. It can even lead to dangerous errors in administering medication.
Additionally, you should protect medical devices and equipment from water and other environmental hazards.
If a medical device or piece of equipment operates on electricity, make sure to bring an emergency power source, such as extra batteries or a car adapter power cord.
Keep a list of all important medical information. This includes health history, medications (with dosages), doctors, allergies and immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent example of such a list available for download on its website. You can download another excellent example of this kind of checklist from the AARP website.
When you reach your new location, make sure you know where the nearest medical and health facilities are. Knowing where the closest pharmacies and hospitals are will help if a medical emergency occurs after evacuation.
[Related: 10 Supportive Traumatic Brain Injury Resources for Parents]
Following a brain injury, many survivors require a special diet, such as a diabetic diet. When purchasing food for evacuation, make sure to keep this diet in mind. For example, you may need to check boxed foods (crackers, cookies, etc.) for their sugar and sodium levels.
If a survivor has an item that helps communicate the difficulties they suffer, such as a medical bracelet or aphasia card, remember to bring that item. Left at home, it’s of no use.
Read on to learn about issues that can arise regarding the cognitive and emotional difficulties left after a traumatic brain injury.
Post-injury, brain injury survivors generally become far more susceptible to stress and agitation in their lives. Therefore, it’s often handy to have items that you can use to help them remain calm. Music played on a portable radio, phone or pair of headphones that the survivor finds relaxing is an example of such an item.
[Related: How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Traumatic Brain Injury?]
For survivors who have cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, the evacuation process can be very confusing. They may forget why they’re evacuating or where they’re going. Calmly repeating the evacuation plan and/or having the evacuation plan in writing can help reduce confusion.
If a survivor has issues with impulse control, they may be more likely to make hostile comments or rashly suggest an unwise action during the evacuation. At these times, loved ones should calmly remind them of the evacuation plan and that the loved one has the situation under control. If the loved one reacts with anger, emotions are likely to escalate.
Most people, even without a brain injury, find extensive car travel stressful. Keeping to a regular schedule of planned breaks during an evacuation often helps reduce that stress.
Because many brain injury survivors have already experienced significant loss due to their injury, an evacuation and worries about potential losses resulting from a disaster may trigger difficult memories. Some survivors may need extra emotional support at this time as memories of old losses and new concerns for fresh ones result in significant emotional struggles.
All people, especially those with brain injuries that affect cognitive skills, do best when operating under a stable schedule. Survivors and loved ones should try to create a daily schedule to reinforce stability in the evacuation environment.
[Related: When Should You Seek Medical Care for a Traumatic Brain Injury?]
The more you plan and review an evacuation plan, the less stress you’ll have when it’s time for a real evacuation. Regularly going through evacuation plans will make the process less stressful for a person with a brain injury, too.
Hopefully, this guide can help bring attention to the important issues that brain injury survivors and their loved ones need to consider regarding emergency preparedness post-injury.
Learn how Moody Neuro can help with neuropsychology and counseling, speech and language disorders, physical therapy, outpatient rehabilitation assistance, community integration programs and occupational therapy.
Featured image via Unsplash
Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute is opening a new location!
On July 14th, 2021, Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its third location in Space Center, Nassau Bay.
The City Council of Nassau Bay granted the request for a Specific Use Permit in 2020, and construction is expected to be complete in 2022 – creating space to support more patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Do you have a loved one who’s experienced a TBI? Reach out to us today to learn more about the care and support we can provide.
This new Space Center facility will help us better serve patients with TBIs. More than 40 supporters celebrated the groundbreaking, including:
After expressing gratitude for all those involved, Eppinette stressed the impact a new center will bring:
“This addition to the Moody Neuro portfolio will build on our history and experience, helping individuals with traumatic brain injury by providing state-of-the-art treatment areas… [It will also provide] extended space and opportunities for a strong, interdisciplinary approach to a larger population.”
[Related: Choosing a Brain Injury Treatment Clinic]
Thanks to this new TBI rehabilitation facility, another community has access to the highest-quality TBI care. The Moody Neuro Space Center facility will be an extension of the most advanced and inclusive rehabilitation center out there.
With the support of the Moody Neuro community, the mission of Robert Moody lives on today. This same mission inspires us to support friends and loved ones who’ve experienced a traumatic brain injury as they regain function and re-enter their communities with ease.
With the new Space Center location, TBI patients and their families will enjoy access to direct support.
There will also be more potential career opportunities for the community of Nassau Bay. We need to fill 150 clinical, medical, residential, and support staff positions to support our rehabilitative care.
At the new facility, Moody Neuro can accommodate 40 residential patients and offer outpatient programs.
To provide a space that aids in awakening patients’ senses, the design will utilize natural colors and textures to create an “urban house” feel. The facility will also have:
If you’re looking for rehabilitation services for a traumatic brain injury, contact us to learn more about how we can help.
In 1982, when Robert Moody founded the Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute, he set out to provide TBI patients with the best care possible.
Today, that mission continues.
Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute is advancing modern TBI care through:
Through highly personal care, Moody Neuro helps TBI patients recover and reclaim their lives. Contact us to learn more.
The Olympics feature many of the greatest athletes of the world aiming for a gold medal. But did you know that some of these incredible Olympic athletes are also brain injury survivors?
Kieran Behan was only the second Irish gymnast to qualify for the Olympics when he earned his way to the London 2012 competition. When he was 12 years old, he suffered a traumatic brain injury while working on the high bar.
He was so badly injured that he had to relearn how to sit. Behan needed three years until he was able to return to gymnastic training.
10 years following this injury, after an incredible amount of hard work, Behan competed in the Olympics.
[Related: What Is Post-Acute Brain Injury Rehabilitation?]
Janice Teixeira was an Olympic television commentator when she had a stroke at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. She was able to make a quick recovery from this scary health event.
Eight years later (at the age of 54!), she competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics, representing Brazil in trap shooting.
[Related: Choosing a Brain Injury Treatment Clinic]
Jahvid Best was a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions. He was an incredible offensive weapon on the field, using his speed to rack up yards and touchdowns as a running back.
However, in his second year in the NFL, he suffered a serious concussion. This concussion, likely along with others suffered previously, forced him to have an early retirement from football in 2011.
But Best did not lose his desire to compete: He started racing in track and became successful at the 100-meter sprint. Five years following his retirement from professional football, he was able to qualify for the Olympics, representing St. Lucia at Rio 2016.
[Related: Why Are We “Suddenly” Hearing About Brain Injuries?]
The 2021 Olympics in Tokyo will also feature an incredible brain injury survivor.
Owen Wright is an Australian professional surfer. He was one of the top surfers in the world when a 2015 wipeout led to a traumatic brain injury. He did not realize how badly he was injured, so his family had to take away his surfboards.
When he was allowed to return to surfing, he could not even get on his feet while on his board. Now, he has returned to be a successful surfer who wears a helmet to protect himself from further injury.
Six years after his brain injury, he will represent Australia in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
[Related: Presidential Success After a Brain Injury]
These amazing Olympians are a reminder that a brain injury does not mean that a survivor’s life is over. A brain injury may be a chapter in a story of triumph!
Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute loves hearing — and helping to bring about — success stories like this. To learn more about how rehabilitation can help you get back on track with your own dreams, contact us today.
February is Black History Month! As we celebrate the contributions that African Americans have made at all levels for our country, let’s take some time to celebrate important African-American brain injury heroes.
Harriet Tubman was one of the conductors of the Underground Railroad. A former slave herself, she helped slaves escape from the South to freedom. During the Civil War, she joined the Union army, even leading a US army expedition. Tubman was later a vocal proponent of the women’s right to vote.
Many people do not realize that as a youth, she suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. She was hit in the head with a weight that an overseer threw at another slave, hitting Tubman. She was unconscious for several days. Following this injury, she had severe headaches, narcolepsy, and seizures. Despite her brain injury symptoms, she became a hero for American freedom.
Louis Tompkins Wright was both a medical and civil rights pioneer. Born in 1891, in segregationist Georgia, he fought significant prejudice to gain admission to Harvard Medical School. He was the first African-American doctor at Harlem Hospital, later becoming President of the Hospital. Wright was also the first African-American NYPD surgeon. He was a civil rights leader, serving as Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors. He was an innovator both in diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of medical ailments, including inventing a brace for transporting patients with cervical vertebrae injuries. He was well-recognized as an expert on brain injuries and wrote influential research on the topic. Despite great obstacles, Wright was an important figure in both medical and civil rights worlds, including contributing greatly to the knowledge of brain injuries.
Harry Carson was one of the greatest football players in the history of the National Football League. He captained the New York Giants to Super Bowl victory and is a member of the Hall of Fame. Carson was also one of the first athletes to openly talk about brain injuries in football, bravely sharing his story with Sports Illustrated in 1998, long before there was any serious recognition of the potential brain injury dangers of playing football. He has advocated with Congress and through the Brain Injury Association of America to raise brain injury awareness. Carson has used his leadership, experience, and knowledge to help others receive necessary help.
These are just a few of the many African-American brain injury heroes!
On Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke’s character Daenerys Targaryen is tough as nails and always up for a battle. But perhaps Clarke’s toughest personal battle was when she had brain aneurysms, which included multiple surgeries to save her life. Click the link below to read her personal account of her brain aneurysm experience, including surgery and aphasia:
Learn about brain injury treatment services at Moody Neurorehabilitation! Visit us at: https://www.moodyneuro.org/
Bret “The Hitman” Hart is a wrestling legend. For years he traveled the globe as one of the biggest stars in the world of wrestling. But even a tremendous athlete like Hart can have a stroke. Hart had that stroke in 2001. He spent three months in a wheelchair and countless hours in rehabilitation. His hard work paid off in an excellent recovery. Today he represents the March of Dimes Canada’s Stroke Recovery Program, inspiring other stroke survivors! Click on the link below to watch a video of Bret Hart speaking about his stroke experience:
Learn about brain injury treatment services at Moody Neurorehabilitation! Visit us at: https://www.moodyneuro.org/
Olympic gold medal sprinter Michael Johnson has always kept himself in great shape, even in retirement from his celebrated professional career. However, it is possible for even a healthy individual to have a stroke. Michael Johnson recently suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini stroke”. Though he has recovered well from the TIA, the experience taught him a valuable lesson about vulnerability and motivated him to educate others regarding the risks for stroke. Click the link below to read more about Michael Johnson’s stroke experience:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/46798931
Learn about brain injury treatment services at Moody Neurorehabilitation! Visit us at: https://www.moodyneuro.org/
Our knowledgeable team is available to answer your questions and begin the admissions process.
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