Acknowledgments Alberta

Transcription

1 Acknowledgments Alberta Special thanks to Saskatchewan Health for permission to base the content and organization of this guide largely on their excellent publication The Survival Guide: Living with Acquired Brain Injury in the Community. Project funded and administered by Alberta Seniors and Community Supports. Alberta author was Belinda Roth. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and input in the writing of this guide. We sincerely thank the following people for their effort and assistance in putting together this project: Ginny Gillen, Louise Jensen, Michelle James, NABIS staff, Nan Shybunka, Dale Lukacs B.S.W., Mel H. Rosiechuk, Cheryl Taylor, Dean Easton, Scott Allen, Fay Selzler, Peter Faid, Anne MacIssac, and Ryan Roth. 1

2 Acknowledgments Saskatchewan Funding for the preparation and publication of this guide was provided by the Acquired Brain Injury Partnership Project, funded by Saskatchewan Government Insurance, and administered by Saskatchewan Health. Co-authors were Phyllis Goertz, Rehabilitation Special Projects Coordinator of SASKATOON DISTRICT HEALTH, and Dr. Bryan Acton, psychologist with the Saskatchewan Central Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Team. Many families, survivors, health professionals and others provided valuable input in the writing of this guide. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following persons for their assistance: The Saskatchewan South, Central, and North Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Teams, Dale Acton, Joan Acton, Rebecca Acton, Brenda Ahenakew, Rodney Ashfield, Sharon Babcock, Janet Barnes, Don Barnett (Registered Financial Planner), Lisa Blomme, Betsy Brown, Karin Buchanan, Dr. Robert Capp, Laura Carney, Helen Christensen, Lorna Clarke, Peter Coburn, Lisette Coulling, Harry Dahl, Debbie Donald, Shirley Dowie, Vicki Elford, Stephanie Fisher-Dortman, Kelly 2

3 Froehlich, Shelley Gates, Dee George, James Gillis (Barrister and Solicitor), Shelley Hamilton, Carol Holland, Mary Keller, Milt Kerpan, Marilyn Lash, Angie McConnell, Larry McGuire, Marlene McKay, Cindy Morgan, Kathy Muttart, Dr. Jo Nanson, Annette Quiring, Loren Regier, Marilyn Robinson, Carry Stacey, Jane Tosney, Brenda Van Der Loos, and Evelyn Walker and family. Copyright (c) 2000 SASKATOON DISTRICT HEALTH All Rights Reserved. This is an educational resource and is not intended to take the place of the advice and recommendations of health professionals who are expert in the care of persons with a brain injury. The chapter entitled Paying The Bills is not a substitute for financial or legal advice. The authors and SASKATOON DISTRICT HEALTH and any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work shall not be liable for loss or damage, howsoever caused, resulting from any use to which this booklet and the information and advice contained herein may be put. The authors have checked with sources 3

4 believed to be reliable in their efforts to provide information that is complete and generally in accord with the standards accepted at the time of publication. Neither the authors nor SASKATOON DISTRICT HEALTH nor any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete, and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. 4

5 Table of Contents Introduction... 9 Family Survivor Chapter Background On Brain Injury Acquired Brain Injury Parts of the Brain and How Injury Affects Them Stroke Severity of Brain Injury Chapter After The Hospital Discharge and Reduced Therapy The Impact of Limited Resources Finding Information on Brain Injury Chapter Ongoing Physical Problems Fatigue Headaches Dizziness Mobility Problems and Physical Disabilities 5

6 Chapter General Health Nutrition Medications Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Chapter Rebuilding Skills Getting Help The Science of Rebuilding Skills Rebuilding Skills Conflicting Goals Chapter Family Adjusting to the Changes Changes in the Survivor Anger Management Increased Responsibilities Changes in Roles Changes in Relationships Separation, Divorce, and Placing the Survivor Outside the Home Chapter Lifestyle The New Lifestyle Energy Levels Social Skills Building a New Social Life 6

7 Staying Active Maintaining Your Family s Social Life Driving Chapter Paying The Bills Paying the Bills Help with Paying the Bills What if You are Not Satisfied Helping the Survivor Handle Money Chapter Housing Possible Options Local Resources Age and Place of Residence A Home Away From Home Chapter Work Returning to Work Signs of Readiness Returning to the Old Job Looking for a New Job Keeping the Job Chapter Children With Acquired Brain Injury What to Expect from Your Child Grief, Guilt and Depression Returning to School 7

8 Your Role as Parents Working with the School Handling Disagreements with the School The Importance of Early Intervention for Young Children Chapter Sexuality Sexuality Common Changes Coping With Changes Chapter Resources Contact Information and Finding Resources Alberta Brain Injury Network Offices Other Resources 8