Brain Injury Care

The human brain is the command centre for the human nervous system. It receives signals from the body’s sensory organs and outputs information to the muscles. Any disruptions in the brain caused by an injury affecting its normal function are called brain injuries.

Brain injuries can be life-changing for the person suffering and their families, causing emotional strain on relationships as quite often partners and families have to become carers and adapt to a new personality and new care needs of the person. Depending on the damage, the brain injury could have short or long-term effects on the body where round-the-clock care and support might be needed. Our carers and support workers can help you or your loved one to have a smooth and stress-free transition from hospital to home and provide the care you need in the comfort of your own home.

According to the World Health Organization, acquired brain injury is damage to the brain, which occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or degenerative disease. Causes of acquired brain injuries (ABI) could include falls, road motor accidents, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, etc. Other types of brain injuries that fall under ABI are:

• Brain tumours –abnormal growth of cells in the brain and skull that multiply at increased speed. Depending on the type, size and location of the tumour and it might have different effects on the brain.
• Encephalitis – inflammation of the brain most often caused by an infection which makes the brain swell.
• Hypoxic/anoxic brain injury – reduction or loss of oxygen to the brain that causes an interruption in brain function leading to immediate or irreversible brain damage.
• Aneurysm – known as a cerebral aneurysm is a swelling of a blood vessel in the brain
• Brain haemorrhage – also known as a haemorrhagic stroke or brain bleed is bleeding in or around the brain caused by a ruptured aneurysm or a significant blow to the head.
• Even though traumatic brain injuries fall under acquired brain injuries, they differentiate from them by the cause of the injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are injuries that affect how the brain works, caused by physical trauma to the head. Causes for TBI are often bumps, blows or jolts to the head, penetrating injuries, assault, falls, road accidents, physical trauma, neurosurgery, etc.

There are three different levels of severity of a TBI:

• Mild or also known as a concussion – mild traumatic brain injuries are the most common injuries caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or hit to the body causing the brain to move quickly back and forth in the skull. Mild injuries are usually not life-threatening but can have serious effects on your brain function.
• Moderate and Severe – similar to mild brain injuries, moderate and severe TBIs are caused by falls, bumps, blows or jolts to the head but also more serious injuries as a result of an assault, penetrating injuries and road accidents. Compared to concussions, these injuries can have life-changing long-term consequences to the person’s health and could require ongoing complex care and support.

No matter the brain injury type, Alcedo Care can help and support you or your loved ones with a tailored care plan to cover all your needs and requirements in your rehabilitation journey. We will work closely with you and take your wishes on board to create your bespoke care plan with your nurse liaison.

The transition from inpatient care, post-brain injury, to life at home and within the community is especially stressful for everyone involved. Providing a brain injury care plan that accommodates these emotions and changes is unique for everyone, as no situation or requirements are the same. Therefore, one of our Alcedo Care specialist carers will come out and assess you or your loved one and create a tailored care plan to suit yours or your loved ones’ needs. Once a plan has been set, it is regularly reviewed and updated based on the progress and changing situation of the rehabilitation program.

Every brain injury is different and the effects of such injuries are wide-ranging and unique to each individual – encompassing some, or all, of the following:

• Behavioural and personality-affecting difficulties including anxiety, depression, self-control/impulsivity issues and sudden (often inexplicable) mood swings
• Cognitive difficulties affecting memory, attention/concentration, rationalisation, and learning
• Physical impairments like loss of coordination, muscle control, paralysis, epilepsy, sensory impairment, and fatigue.

Therefore, to ensure that our clients receive the care they need we create bespoke care plans that cover all their requirements. Our personalised care plans are designed to provide the best care for you or your loved ones, to feel comfortable and independent in the comfort of your own home.

• Personal Care – our carers will support you with all tasks of daily living such as washing, dressing, and household chores, to support you to be as independent as possible.
• Companionship – our team will help you access the community and regain your social skills and confidence, support you with emotional regulation and plan your day. This is done by following your rehabilitation programmes set out by your Multidisciplinary team such as occupational therapy, speech and language, and neuropsychologist.
• Complex Care – depending on your or your loved one’s severity of the brain injury, our nurse-led team will support you with all your clinical needs including but not limited to PEG, tracheostomy, etc.
• Live-in Care – Live-in care provides people the opportunity to live their life the way they want to, as our care packages are designed to fit in with their lifestyle and schedule, there are no set times for tasks and no restrictions on where they can go. People live how they want to live and we fit in with them, making sure they are living their life to the fullest.
• Respite Care – our respite care services are the ideal temporary solution for the carer to take time off to recharge and improve their well-being.

The brain injury care or support plan will be designed to support our customers by providing person-centred care to meet their diverse and challenging requirements, aspirations and goals. By creating a stable, supporting environment, we help lay the foundations for the journey towards independent living and empowering those affected, as well as their relatives.

The lives of those close to the sufferer can also be significantly affected by their injury. Family and friends have to make major adjustments and sacrifices whilst simultaneously trying to deal with the often-drastic changes in those they care for.

• Continue living in your own home and familiar surroundings
• Peace of mind for you and your family
• Retain independence
• Comfortable environment
• Privacy & dignity

Each one of our clients’ care needs are unique and require a bespoke, tailored care plan during different periods. Depending on your health condition you might need temporary, short-term or continuing care which can vary from weeks to months or even years. You might consider some of the following care services:

• Live-in care is suitable for everyone who requires round-the-clock care. Our nurse-led team will focus on improving your health and well-being in your own home while ensuring your care needs are satisfied.
• Respite care is a short-term period of flexible care which can be arranged for periods to cover holidays, hospital convalescence or a period where your primary carer requires a break. This could be a day, a weekend or a week – speak to us about what period of time you require.
• Palliative care/End-of-life is for those who have advanced, terminal and progressive conditions. Our palliative care service can be put in place quickly and is always tailored to your needs, considering your symptoms, psychological well-being, social requirements or spiritual needs. We aim to provide you with independence and improve and enhance your quality of life as possible in the time you have left.

We aim to provide you with the best possible quality of care so that you feel safe and independent while continuing to live in the familiar surroundings of your own home. Our nurse-led team will ensure that all your needs and requirements are met.