Recovering From a Concussion When You Live Alone or Your Spouse Is Deployed: A Jacksonville Guide
Many people in Northeast Florida go home after a crash to an empty house, whether they live alone, work different shifts from family or have a spouse on deployment from NAS Jacksonville or Mayport. Simple ways to stay safe, get rest and get help in the first days.
Who this is for: Written for people in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Orange Park, St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach recovering from a crash without someone at home, and for the family and friends who want to help from a distance.
You were rear-ended on Atlantic Boulevard on the way home from work. The urgent care visit was quick, and the discharge papers say to have someone keep an eye on you. But you live alone, or your spouse is deployed, or your family is hundreds of miles away. Now what? This guide is educational and is not medical advice.
The first 24 hours
MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, advises having an adult stay with you for the first 12 to 24 hours after you are home from the emergency room. If no one lives with you, a few calls can cover this:
Key takeaways
- Have an adult stay with you for the first 12 to 24 hours after an ER visit, or set up regular check-ins (MedlinePlus).
- Going to sleep is okay; ask your provider whether someone should wake you during the night (MedlinePlus).
- Stay connected with friends and loved ones. You do not have to do it alone (CDC).
- Military families can contact the Fleet and Family Support Centers at NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport.
- Ask a friend, neighbor or coworker to stay the night, or stay with them.
- Set up regular check-in calls or texts with someone who knows to call 911 if you do not answer.
- Ask your provider whether someone should wake you during the night. MedlinePlus notes that going to sleep is okay, and that your provider can tell you if you need to be woken every 2 or 3 hours.
- Keep your phone charged and nearby, and leave a door key with someone you trust.
Recovering alone does not have to mean recovering without help.
Rest without isolating yourself
The CDC recommends taking it easy for the first few days, then slowly returning to regular activities as you feel better. MedlinePlus notes that you do not need to stay in bed and that light activity around the home is okay. Do not drink alcohol or use drugs until you have fully recovered, and ask your provider which pain relievers are safe for you.
Being alone can make recovery feel harder. The CDC encourages people recovering from a concussion to stay connected with friends and loved ones. You do not have to do it alone. A short phone call or a visit from a neighbor counts.
Getting to appointments
Ask your provider when it is safe to drive again. Until then, line up rides for follow-up visits, especially if you would otherwise be crossing a St. Johns River bridge or driving I-95 at rush hour. The CDC suggests asking for written instructions about returning to activities like driving and work. Read more about when it is safe to drive after a concussion.
If your spouse is deployed
Military families at NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport have local help. Each base's Fleet and Family Support Center offers deployment support, counseling, and information and referral. You can reach NAS Jacksonville's center at 904-542-5745 and Naval Station Mayport's at 904-270-6600. Let friends, neighbors and your family readiness network know you were in a crash, so others can help with meals, rides or child care. If children were in the car too, see our guide to a child's concussion after a car accident.
Keep a simple record
When no one else is watching, it helps to write things down. Each day, note headaches, dizziness, sleep, trouble focusing and anything that feels "off." Bring the notes to your provider. The CDC lists headache, trouble concentrating or remembering, feeling tired, sleep changes and being bothered by light or noise among common symptoms, and some may not appear for hours or days.
Talk to your provider if symptoms are not getting better within 2 to 3 weeks.
Where Braintree fits
If your provider decides concussion testing makes sense, Braintree's mobile team comes to the provider's office in Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach and nearby communities, so you do not need to travel far. Scheduling is coordinated with the provider. Results are physician-reviewed diagnostic reports that go to a neurologist ahead of a neuro evaluation, and the provider then receives a copy to help plan next steps.
Learn more about what to expect as a patient and concussion and TBI testing, see mobile testing in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, or view recent local crashes on the Northeast Florida Crash Map.
Frequently asked questions
Should someone stay with me after a concussion?
MedlinePlus advises having an adult stay with you for the first 12 to 24 hours after you are home from the emergency room. If you live alone, ask a friend or neighbor to stay, or set up regular check-ins.
Is it safe to sleep after a concussion?
MedlinePlus says going to sleep is okay. Ask your provider whether someone should wake you every 2 or 3 hours during the first night.
Where can military families in Jacksonville get support?
The Fleet and Family Support Centers at NAS Jacksonville (904-542-5745) and Naval Station Mayport (904-270-6600) offer deployment support, counseling, and information and referral.
When should I talk to my provider again?
Talk to your provider if your symptoms are not getting better within 2 to 3 weeks, and get emergency care right away for danger signs such as a worsening headache or repeated vomiting.
Can Braintree test me in Northeast Florida?
If your provider decides testing makes sense, Braintree's mobile team tests at your provider's office and returns physician-reviewed diagnostic reports. Scheduling is coordinated with the provider.
Sources
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): Concussion in adults, discharge
- CDC: What to do after a mild TBI or concussion
- CDC: Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion (including danger signs)
- Military OneSource: Military and Family Support Center, Naval Air Station Jacksonville
- Military OneSource: Military and Family Support Center, Naval Station Mayport
- Florida Department of Health: Florida trauma centers
Photo credits: Main Street Bridge, Jacksonville, by Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Fishing Pier, Jacksonville Beach, by Olga Ernst, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
