Patient/Family Education
Education is a key component of the Acquired Brain Injury Program and training is provided in a variety of ways. The interdisciplinary rehab team assists patients and families in learning skills to handle care at home. The importance of education and training for patients and families is emphasized in the following activities:
- Patient/Family Conferences - A conference is held during the patient's stay to discuss expected outcomes of rehab and specific goals. Additional conferences may be held as needed to review the patient's progress in meeting goals and to discuss discharge plans.
- Caregiver Training - Training days are scheduled for caregivers to learn skills and strategies to manage caring for the patient at home. This training may involve working with nurses and therapists to assist the patient with self-care or transfer skills. The caregiver has the opportunity to work with each team member as needed to observe and to ask questions.
- Transitional Living Apartment - A small "apartment" is available where patients and families can practice independent living just prior to discharge home. While in the apartment, the patient and family manage all of the patient's care while knowing that a nurse is available if needed. This "trial run" helps patients and families feel more confident about returning home.
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- Community Reintegration - Integrating patients back into the community is an important part of the process. A social worker and recreation therapist will provide information about community resources, support programs, and local and national resources. Community re-entry may include an outing with the patient and a family member to a local support group, the mall, or other community settings.
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- Peer Support - A trained peer support volunteer with a similar disability will visit the patient while on the rehab unit to share experiences, talk about life with a disability, and talk about real life experiences. The volunteer also provides community contacts and resources to assist the patient as he/she returns to the community.