Module

Module 3

3.0 Aims

3.1 Living Skills

3.2 Impacts

3.3 Encouraging

3.4 Rehabilitation

3.5 Assiting

3.6 Strategies

3.7 Risks

3.8 Take home      messages

3.9 Resources

3.10 Take the        Test

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Aim

The module is for support workers who provide direct care and assistance to people who have had traumatic brain injury (TBI). It offers practical strategies that can help individuals with a TBI to increase their independence. This assistance could be provided in the person’s own home, in a residential care setting or a Transitional Living Unit.

Rationale

After a traumatic brain injury, a person’s ability to participate in their community and home environment may be significantly disrupted. They may need supervision and/or assistance for domestic tasks such as dressing and cooking, or community tasks such as shopping and catching public transport. Skills that were performed routinely before the injury may now need to be relearned or managed differently.

When the person returns from hospital, it is likely that they may be receiving continuing treatment from rehabilitation professionals, who will be assisting them to increase their independence and achieve their goals. Support workers are a vital part of this process. They can work together with therapists and the person with a TBI to enhance their independence and to increase their participation in activities within their local community.

This module provides some basic guidelines and strategies to assist support workers in this process.

Although increased independence signifies progress and is to be encouraged, there are times when this may pose associated risks for individuals. The module will help you be mindful of risks. It includes details of professionals who can help assess the risks.

Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

3.1 List the daily living skills that a person may require assistance with (or supervision for) following a TBI

3.2 Identify ways in which impairments resulting from a TBI may impact upon a person’s performance of daily tasks

3.3 Recognise the importance of encouraging a person with a TBI to participate in everyday activities

3.4 Know what rehabilitation is

3.5 Discuss how you can assist a person with a TBI to set and work towards independent living skill goals

3.6 List some possible practical strategies that you can use when helping a person be more independent at home and in the community

3.7 Recognise potential risks and dangers associated with increased independence and identify the appropriate people that you should discuss these risks with.

3.8 Know how to access resources and assistance when needed.

Module 3 Compiled by:

Kate Hopman and Tanya Secheny,
Senior Occupational Therapists
and
Kerryn Moorhouse,
Occupational Therapist
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit
Liverpool Hospital, Sydney