Memory Center Makes the Difference for Patient with Brain Injury
Grandfather Struck by Drunk Driver Makes Strides in Recovery
It was an early morning five years ago when a drunk driver plowed into Vernon as he made his rounds delivering milk to a supermarket chain. In an instant, his life changed forever.
Vernon, 77, suffered a serious brain injury. He spent six weeks in a coma and four months in the hospital. When he finally did come home, he was a different man, says Martha, 72, his wife of 55 years.
The “gentle giant” known to his wife, children and grandchildren was uncharacteristically aggressive and verbally combative. His speech and memory loss made it difficult for him to be understood or carry on a conversation.
Early last year, a family friend referred Vernon to neurologist Damon Salzman, MD, Medical Director at the Memorial Memory Center at Memorial Hospital Pembroke.The Memory Center is dedicated to identifying memory disorders and providing personalized medical attention and support for patients and their families and caregivers.
Vernon suffered from memory loss and speech impairment. He had become increasingly agitated and depressed. After a thorough examination, Dr. Salzman made a change in Vernon’s medication. His family began to notice an improvement in his behavior and speech.
“He’s really a different person than he was six months ago,” Dr. Salzman says. “He’s happy and jovial. Along with improvement in language, his memory has improved. A lot of it was due to selecting the right medication. It changed his behavior and his ability to speak. Now he is definitely understandable and he is able to get his point across.”
Improvement in Speech, Demeanor
Martha says the Memory Center has provided the help her husband was missing. The angry outbursts are gone.
“He’s calm. He’s more even-tempered. He’s back to the sweet man he was before,” she says, adding, “His speech is so much clearer. It used to be no one could talk to him over the phone because he had trouble comprehending. Now, my son spoke to him and said, ‘I spoke to my real dad again.’”
The friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere at the Memory Center make Vernon feel good about going there. Although he once hated going into doctors’ offices, “he looks forward to coming here,” Martha says. “Even the valet greets us by name. It’s a homey atmosphere. It’s like being in your own home and talking to your doctor. He thoroughly enjoys it. It has been a great experience.”
Holistic View
“We try to take a holistic view,” Dr. Salzman says. “We try to take the approach that these are people who are experiencing a problem as opposed to a problem attached to a person. I listen to the family. I listen to the patient. Together, we make a decision that we think will be the best course of action.”
Once an avid bowler who averaged 200 a game, Vernon will likely never be the same person he once was. Five years ago, doctors feared the accident would leave him in a permanent vegetative state, but he has made remarkable strides.
“People ask me, ‘How do you do it, day in and day out?’” Martha says. “I turn and look at him and thank God that he’s still with me. Whether or not he’s the same person doesn’t matter to me.”
For more information call the Memory Center at Memorial Hospital Pembroke at (954) 883-8023 .
If you would like a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.