Lifestyle issues – Head injury

Accommodation

The ultimate aim is for the person to live in independent accommodation. If this is not possible, supported accommodation in low (flats or units with minimal level of supervision from a warden) or medium dependency units (4 - 6 bedded units in the community run as group homes with staff support or monitoring) or the provision of professional carers at home may be required. The most severely disabled will require residential care, for example in high dependency units.

In one study of head injuries classified as very severe, 53% were independent, 29% required support and 18% were fully dependent.

Work

The ultimate aim is for the person to return to their original job, with or without workplace adjustments. If this is not possible, supported employment may be available. It is less likely that people with severe head injury will be able to return to gainful employment. In one study of severe head injury, only 36% were in full time employment after 2 years.

Driving

Many survivors are keen to return to driving. Physical restrictions are rarely prohibitive, apart from substantial visual field defects, persistent double vision or epilepsy. Cognitive function is the main determinant of the ability to return to driving, especially attention, speed of processing, reaction and frontal lobe deficits of impulse control and judgment.

Leisure and social life

People with severe head injuries often face restrictions in their social and leisure activities as a consequence of cognitive and physical difficulties and may result in social isolation.

Family effects

Head injury imposes major strains on family relationships and frequently results in a high level of stress on carers.

Charities

There are several charities associated with the head injury rehabilitation. One of the most prominent is Headway (The Brain Injury Association), a charity whose aims are to promote understanding of all aspects of head injury and to provide information, support and services to people who have suffered a head injury, their family and carers. Headway also provides day centres (Headway Houses) that cater for ongoing rehabilitation.

Amended April 2008