Community Re-Entry After TBI

Once traumatic brain injury patients complete subacute treatment, they will be ready to enter a long-term care facility or the community in which they will live independently. While those moving to chronic care centers will be largely looked after, for TBI patients re-entering the community, learning how to adjust to living on their own with permanent disabilities can be a challenge.

 

Complications of Community Re-Entry


Some of the factors that can make community re-entry difficult for TBI patients include:

  • an inability to concentrate, which, in turn, can complicate a patient's ability to go to school or work a full-time job
  • an inability to walk or maintain coordination, impeding mobility
  • depression and other emotional problems, which can prevent patients from pursuing essential treatments
  • memory problems, which can affect anything from paying bills on-time to turning off appliances or taking medication
  • speech problems, frustrating TBI patients' communication and comprehension abilities

Although not all TBI patients re-entering their communities will experience all of the above problems, most will likely be challenged by two or more permanent disabilities. As a result, both government and non-profit organizations offer long-term help and services to traumatic brain injury patients.

Where to Find Help with Community Re-Entry


As TBI patients prepare to re-enter their communities, they can find help from any of the following organizations:

  • churches
  • local TBI charities
  • non-profit community re-entry programs
  • state-run vocational services programs (The official name of these services varies by state but usually is referred to as "Vocational Services" or "Rehabilitation Services.")
  • TBI support groups

Depending on the organization, some community re-entry programs may require traumatic brain injury patients to pass a thorough application process during which they prove their disabilities and need. Although it may not be hard to prove impairment in cases of moderate to severe TBI, those with mild TBI may need to verify their disability by getting a statement from their neurologist or psychotherapist.

 

What Community Re-Entry Programs Do


The precise services offered at community re-entry programs will depend on the size and mission of the specific organization. However, in most cases, community re-entry programs for TBI will:

  • assess patients' ability to work (This includes figuring out to which types of work patients are best suited.)
  • help patients enroll in and complete school after TBI
  • help patients find the doctors, physical therapists and other professionals they need for chronic treatment of their condition
  • put patients in contact with therapists and local support groups to help them cope with emotional issues resulting from TBI
  • set patients up with housing in assisted-living facilities, rehabilitation homes or independent apartments
  • train patients to perform new jobs

With the help of community re-entry programs, TBI patients can smoothly transition back to their day-to-day lives with minimal frustration and complication.