Brain Injury Care

As a leading home care and complex care provider, we understand how challenging a brain injury can be for you, your loved one and your family. The transition from the hospital or rehabilitation setting to your home can be a stressful and anxious experience for all involved but with the help of our nurse-led team, you can be confident that you are in good hands during your rehabilitation.

What is a brain injury?
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.

Types of brain injury
According to 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, Ivytencity 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 Ivytencity 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.