Brain Injury: Preparing Patient & Family for the Future

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The consequences of a brain injury last far beyond the walls of the acute hospitalization. Brain injury does not just affect the person with the injury but the entire family circle, especially in cases where the damage is profound. The road to recovery can be lengthy and full of challenges for patients and families. Patients with minor brain damage face very different choices and outcomes than those with severe damage. This course will explore some of the psychosocial changes they and their families face as they begin to transition through the continuum of care on the road to recovery.

Meet your instructor

Anne Leclaire

Anne graduated with a Master of Science-Nursing from the University of Phoenix and has worked in the field of rehabilitation nursing for most of her career. She started as a staff nurse in inpatient rehabilitation at Weldon Center for Rehabilitation in Springfield, Massachusetts and then moved to Madison, Wisconsin, at…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Psychosocial Effects

It is not uncommon for personality changes to occur following a brain injury. Some of these changes are the result of the location within the brain that the injury occurred, and others may be the result of brain chemistry. Regardless of the cause, these personality changes may affect a person’s psychosocial adjustment when integrating into their previous life. This chapter will explore personality changes and mental health issues that can arise as a result of the brain injury and the role of the rehabilitation nurse in addressing these psychosocial challenges.

2. Family Roles and Relationships

Brain injury does not just affect the person with the injury but the entire family network, especially in cases where the brain injury is profound. Often roles within families switch as members are required to adjust to this change in structure or possibly take on a caregiver role. This chapter will explore family involvement in the evolution of recovery, using case examples to illustrate some positive and negative consequences.

3. Transitions

The recovery from a brain injury can be long and arduous. There is no crystal ball that can look at a newly injured person and predict that person’s potential for a full recovery. This chapter will discuss the transitions of care facing the patient and family as the brain injured person moves beyond the acute hospitalization.

4. Community Reintegration

The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is to return individuals back to the community to lead productive and meaningful lives. This chapter reviews how vocational, financial, and community resources promote community reintegration and help the patient and family to move on with their lives.

More courses in this series

Brain Injury: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Etiology and Levels

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Brain Injury: Nursing Concerns

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Brain Injury: Nutrition, Communication, and Elimination

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Brain Injury: Behavior and Safety

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Brain Injury: Musculoskeletal Issues, Mobility & ADLs

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