About Brain Injury
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external physical force. Common causes are falls, motor vehicle accidents, gun shot wounds, work related injuries, shaken baby syndrome, and domestic violence. Changes in cognitive (thinking), physical, emotional, and behavioral processes may occur as a result of the injury.
What is an Acquired Brain Injury?
An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is the result of changes in the activity of the brain not related to injury or birth processes. Leading causes are strokes, blood clots, tumors, infections, and lack of oxygen to the brain. Changes may be noted in cognitive (thinking), physical, emotional, and behavioral processes.
How common is Head Injury?
Approximately 1.5 million people per year will sustain a head injury in the United States. Of those, the majority are males. The two highest age groups at risk are 0 to 4 years of age and 15 to 19 years of age. Leading causes are falls, motor vehicle accidents, gun shot wounds, and assaults.
What is a Mild Head Injury?
Mild head injury presents with no or brief loss of consciousness. Initial testing may appear normal. The individual may appear dazed or mildly confused. Symptoms include headache, irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, memory problems, and depression. Symptoms may last days or months.
What is a Moderate Head Injury?
Moderate head injury refers to situations with a loss of consciousness ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. Confusion may last for days or weeks. Cognitive, physical, and behavioral impairments may last for months or be permanent.
What is a Severe Head Injury?Severe head injury may be characterized by an extended period of unconsciousness (coma), lasting days to months. Individuals with severe head injuries may make progress, however, often sustain significant permanent impairments.
About Outpatient Therapy
What is Outpatient Therapy?
In outpatient therapy, clients focus on the challenges presented by their traumatic brain injury. Utilizing a variety of therapies, including Speech (Cognitive) Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Recreational Therapy, and Social Work, deficit areas are identified and treatment goals are established.
How often do I come to therapy?
Your physician will prescribe the therapies needed for your recovery and how often you should receive them. For some individuals this may include several types of therapy, for others only one or two therapies. Some clients attend daily, others two to three times per week. Each treatment session usually lasts for one hour. Generally, frequency of treatment decreases with time as a client makes progress.
How will my physician, family, and I know how I am doing?
To keep our client’s and their family’s informed, monthly team meetings may be conducted. During this meeting your therapists will present information regarding your current status and recommendations for continued treatment. Your physician, Rehabilitation Nurse, attorney, and any other significant individual identified by you will be invited to attend.
When can I drive?
The determination to resume driving is made by your physician along with recommendations from the treatment team. As you progress in therapy, the Occupational Therapist may conduct a pre-drivers screening. After satisfactorily completing the screening, a recommendation will be made to your physician for a formal driving evaluation. A referral will be made to an appropriate source for the evaluation.
What about returning to work?
Community involvement, volunteerism, and paid employment are an important part of the rehabilitation process. As you progress in therapy, community reintegration is encouraged. Membership in a community based group and volunteering are methods to begin the process of return to work. Where possible, simulations of work related activities will be conducted in the therapy setting. Job site analysis, including a safety evaluation and job duties evaluation, may be conducted. Referrals are made to Vocational Counselors to assist in return to work issues, as well as job retraining.
Besides showing up, what can I do to help the rehabilitation process?
Arriving at therapy on time and rested is important to beginning your rehabilitation day. Completing any homework assignments provided, and remembering your appointment book and folder will be beneficial. Recovery and adjustment to injury can be a trying time emotionally. Focus on your successes, and allow yourself time to heal.
What happens after therapy?
Rehabilitation is a step in the process of returning to pre-injury activities. As you progress through treatment, long-term goals are discussed in individual sessions and in the monthly team meetings. Referrals to volunteer positions, Vocational Counselors, workshops, or previous employers are coordinated when appropriate.
About Residential Programming
How long will I stay in the residential program?
All programming is determined by the needs and goals of the individual. Some clients come in for short-term care to evaluate or re-establish independent functioning. Others utilize our facilities for respite care only. Finally, our program also offers long-term placement for those individuals requiring continued support.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is a temporary placement (usually 1 to 4 weeks). This service provides caregivers the opportunity to know that their loved one is receiving 24-hour supervision in a supportive environment. Families may utilize respite care for vacation, personal business, caregiver health issues, and for other unspecified reasons. Respite care provides all of the same support and programming, only on a short-term basis.
What is included in my residential stay?
24-hour residential placement includes room and board, staffing, home programming, transportation to/from appointments and recreational outings. Supported living program placement includes a furnished apartment, staffing, home program, and transportation to/from appointments and recreational outings. Clients in this program budget for their own groceries.
What is a typical day like?
This may vary from individual to individual depending on one’s stage of recovery in the rehabilitation process. However, a typical day may include assistance preparing for the day, attending medical appointments or outpatient therapies, attending vocational workshops, volunteering, or other vocational activities. Individuals may require assistance or instruction in basic activities of daily living such as bathing or dressing, or may work with staff on other skills such as money management, grocery shopping, and community safety. Leisure time may be spent playing pool or horseshoes at our Bridgeway Home, attending our Residential Bowling Group, shopping, dining out, or attending community recreational outings of choice.
Who pays for my treatment?
Many of our participants have injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents or work related accidents. Therefore, residential services are payable by their auto insurance or workers compensation companies.
