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Traumatic Brain Injury Resources for Service Members, Families, and Caregivers

TBICoE offers a variety of educational information and resources to help service members and veterans, patients, and their families learn about mild, moderate, and severe or penetrating TBI. The topics covered include signs and symptoms, coping and recovery, and prevention. Service members, veterans, their families and caregivers can learn more about the common challenges experienced after sustaining a traumatic brain injury through these resources,

Check out the sections below and download resources for yourself, your unit, a friend, or a family member. The fact sheets are also useful to medical providers for patient education.

Looking for more? TBI educators, known as network dissemination coordinators, are available to provide training on patient resources and clinical tools.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Fact Sheets

Do you know a concussion is mild TBI? Here you can find fact sheets to learn more about concussion, how to manage symptoms, and more.

NEW! TBI and Alcohol Misuse Fact Sheet

This fact sheet describes how drinking can impact service members with TBI. It also provides resources for managing alcohol consumption. 

Thumbnail image of the downloadable Alcohol Misuse and TBI fact sheet.

UPDATED! Managing Headache Following Concussion Fact Sheet

This fact sheet explains different ways a health care provider may manage headache after concussion.

Thumbnail image of the downloadable Managing Headaches Following Concussion fact sheet.

NEW! Medication Overuse Headache Following Concussion Fact Sheet

This fact sheet explains this headache type and treatment and prevention strategies. Download and review it with your health care provider.

Thumbnail image of the downloadable Medication Overuse Headache Following Concussion fact sheet.

What You Should Know About Concussions Fact Sheet

This fact sheet is designed to educate deployed service members about traumatic brain injuries immediately after concussion injury.

Concussion Signs and Symptoms Fact Sheet

This fact sheet identifies major physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms of concussion and provides coping and recovery tips. Also available in Spanish.

Signs and Symptoms Fact Sheet

Help With Ongoing Symptoms After Concussion Fact Sheet

Although the majority of service members recover from concussion with little to no intervention, some experience symptoms beyond the first three months after their initial injury. This guide addresses why symptoms continue to persist in some patients and how they can cope or seek additional help.

Help with Ongoing Symptoms Fact Sheet

Managing Headaches Following Concussion/Mild TBI Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides non-drug options to help those diagnosed with a mild TBI and associated post-traumatic headache manage their symptoms. 

Thumbnail image of the downloadable Managing Headaches Following Concussion fact sheet.

Medication Overuse Headache Following Concussion Fact Sheet

This all-new fact sheet explains the basics of this headache type as well as treatment and prevention strategies. It should be reviewed with your health care provider, as it has space for the clinician to outline a treatment plan.

Thumbnail image of the downloadable Medication Overuse Headache Following Concussion fact sheet.

TBI and PTSD Fact Sheet

This fact sheet defines concussion/mild TBI, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other stress-related disorders and explains how overlapping symptoms occur. Learn why it’s important to seek out treatment for both conditions and discover helpful advice on how to manage symptoms.

Head Injury and Dizziness Fact Sheet

This fact sheet can be used to educate patients with concussion/mild TBI on how to manage dizziness related to their injury. To see videos of the exercises described in the fact sheet, visit the Hearing Center of Excellence page on "Vestibular Home Exercises."

Thumbnail image of the Managing Dizziness after Concussion Fact Sheet

Vision Problems After Concussion Fact Sheet

This guide helps concussed service members understand vision problems and provides insight into treatment options. To see videos of the exercises described in the fact sheet, visit the Hearing Center of Excellence page on "Vestibular Home Exercises."

Thumbnail image of the Managing Vision Changes Fact Sheet.

Healthy Sleep and TBI Fact Sheet

This fact sheet offers patients who experience sleep problems relating to TBI with healthy tips that can likely improve their sleep.

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TBI and Changes in Behavior, Personality or Mood Fact Sheet

This fact sheet can be used to educate patients with concussion/mild TBI on how to manage changes in mood related to their injury.

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Ways to Improve Your Memory Fact Sheet

This fact sheet can be used to educate patients with concussion/mild TBI on how to manage memory problems related to their injury.

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Managing Neck Pain Following Concussion Fact Sheet

Neck pain can occur together with headaches following a concussion. This fact sheet provides information to help patients manage neck pain.

Managing Neck Pain Fact Sheet

What is Low-Level Blast? Fact Sheet for Service Members

Does your military occupation involve working with heavy weapon systems that leave you feeling unwell or not like yourself? You could be experiencing the effects from low-level blast exposure. Learn more about how you can recognize, limit, and report your low-level blast exposure with our new fact sheet.

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Back to School: A Guide to Academic Success After Traumatic Brain Injury

Thumbnail image of the downloadable Back to School GuideService members and veterans often aspire to further their education for improved career satisfaction while in service or after departing active duty. Those who have sustained a traumatic brain injury may face unique challenges, and this guide provides information and resources on how to navigate higher education while still prioritizing brain health care. This guide includes topics on: 

  • Getting started in the return-to-school decision-making process
  • Financial considerations
  • Disability services and accommodations information
  • Strategies for academic success
  • Prioritizing health while in school
  • Student resources

Download the Back to School Guide now. 

Family and Caregiver Guides

This section is devoted to families and friends, who play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of individuals with TBI recognizing the emotional, physical, and financial toll that is so often associated with caregiving. Check out our new caregiver fact sheets below!

The 2021 Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans is a recovery support tool to assist caregivers of service members and veterans who have sustained a traumatic brain injury at any severity level. This revision replaces the original guide released in 2010.

Thumbnail image and download link of the Traumatic Brain Injury  A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

TBI may cause physical, cognitive and behavioral changes that can be difficult to adapt to for both the individual and family members. These changes are usually temporary, but in some cases, recovery becomes a lifelong process of adjustments and accommodations for the injured person and the family. People with TBI can lead joyful and meaningful lives with the aid of friends and loved ones who can provide ongoing support and encouragement.

Caregivers are integral members of the recovery care team and support patients in the health care setting and in the home.

Providers should recommend this guide to caregivers for additional information on TBI and how to support their service member or veteran, particularly newly diagnosed patients. The guide can help the caregiver understand clinical terminology used by providers and empower them to advocate for their service member.

Topics in the 2021 caregiver guide include:

  • Understanding TBI: This section includes information on types and diagnosis of TBI, the health care team, and what the recovery process may look like.
  • Caregiver Strategies for Managing the Effects of TBI: This section includes information about understanding and addressing the different symptoms of TBI for the caregiver.
  • Becoming a Family Caregiver: This section covers starting the caregiver journey, becoming an advocate, and learning how to take care of oneself.
  • Caregiver Resources: This section includes helpful links for caregivers, printable forms and a glossary.

Caregiver Fact Sheet Series

Returning Home After TBI: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Thumbnail image of the Returning Home after TBI Fact SheetA fact sheet that shares information and adaptation tips when a loved one diagnosed with a TBI returns home. It includes hot topics such as driving following TBI and ways to avoid a second traumatic brain injury.

Addressing Family Needs: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Thumbnail image of the Addressing Family Needs Fact SheetThis fact sheet includes ways to build stronger family ties and information on challenges the family may experience, such as substance misuse, psychological and emotional trauma, and financial changes. 

 

Intimacy and Sexuality Following TBI: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Thumbnail image of the Intimacy and Sexuality Following TBI Fact SheetA fact sheet that provides caregivers and those diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury with information for addressing intimacy and sexuality concerns following a TBI. It includes information on how TBI can affect sexual functioning and behavior, and tips on improving intimacy after a brain injury.

Taking Care of Yourself: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Thumbnail image of the Taking Care of Yourself Fact SheetThis fact sheet is directed towards caregivers and provides self-care strategies to avoid caregiver burnout and fatigue. 

Talking to Your Child about TBI: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

This fact sheet includes age-appropriate strategies adults can use to speak with children about traumatic brain injury. It also includes tips on how to help kids cope with changes that impact the family unit.

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More Traumatic Brain Injury Resources

Patient and Leadership Guide

This form is part of the Progressive Return to Activity protocol and is filled out with the patients' health care provider. The form helps service members and their leadership understand their TBI diagnosis and the protocol for return to duty.

Thumbnail image of downloadable Patient and Leadership Guide form

HEADS: Protect Your Strongest Weapon

The HEADS acronym helps promote awareness of the key symptoms of concussion, also known as mild TBI.

Protect Your Strongest Weapon. Concussion: Know the Symptoms

Last Updated: June 14, 2024
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