- Start of resource
- Introduction
- Part A: Brain injury and specialist rehabilitation
- Part B: Values, principles pathways and core activities
- Part C: NSW local health districts and speciality networks
- Part D: Brain injury specialist rehabilitation programs
- Part E: Settings and pathways: the continuum of care
- Part F: Paying for and providing services
- Glossary
- Conceptual frameworks
- Paul’s story
- Bibliography
- References
The impairments caused by the TBI have significant impacts on the person, their life, family and friends and their ability to live and work in the community.
Families also face many challenges themselves as they adjust to the impact of the changes to the person with TBI, as well as their own circumstances, for example giving up work to be the caregiver, changes in sibling and parent relationships. Families remain the constant presence amid a continually changing spectrum of providers and professionals as treatment and recovery progress.
Part of Paul's story
Back into the community
At home
Rehabilitation training with father and community therapists, case management, GP care
Families share unique roles as:
- observers throughout all stages of their loved one’s care
- experts with a dual perspective of pre- and post-knowledge of abilities and difficulties
- communicators and liaisons with professional caregivers
- advocates for their loved one.
Examples of impacts and social consequences
Life impacts for person with TBI
- Unemployment and financial hardship
- Inadequate academic achievement
- Lack of transportation alternatives
- Inadequate recreational opportunities
- Loss of pre-injury roles, loss of independence
- Increased service utilisation
Increased risks for person with TBI
- Substance abuse
- Mental health problems
- Homelessness
- Social isolation
- Suicide
Person with TBI: challenging behaviours
- Inappropriate social behaviour
- Verbal aggression
- Adynamia (lack of strength or vigour)
Person with TBI’s relationships
- Difficulties in maintaining interpersonal relationships
- Marital breakdown
- Not forming relationships and remaining single
Life transition impacts
- Hospital to community
- Return to work and study if possible, or alternatives if not possible
Sources for stress for family members
- Family members having to give up work and being impacted financially
- Increased level of conflict due to temper control problems
- Family members (especially partners) having to take on new roles if partner with TBI is no longer able to play these roles
- Family members who play a caring or support role losing touch with their own social networks and becoming more socially isolated
- Family members experiencing grief or depression and mourning for the person they knew before the TBI
- Family members experiencing post-traumatic stress if they witnessed or were involved in the accident that caused the injury