In this episode of Brain Injury Insider, host Michael Kaplen discusses the need for a clear pathway to independence following a TBI, and why the Federal Government must develop a cohesive national strategy for supporting brain injury survivors following their injury.
We need a clear pathway between diagnosis, rehabilitation, and independence following traumatic brain injury.
Brain injuries can occur in a number of different circumstances:
Falls, being struck by an object, being hit by a car, pedestrians crossing the street, unsafe work sites, unsafe buildings, returning service members, and those engaged in sports are just some of the different ways that a brain injury can occur.
A brain injury takes place in the United States every 15 seconds.
Medical professionals can diagnose a brain injury and treat a brain injury. But what happens after that initial acute treatment is finished? What happens to that individual? What happens to their families? What about the care and support that that individual will need for the remainder of their life?
With the cognitive issues being faced by many covid-19 survivors, the issue of brain injury rehabilitation, and life following a brain injury has received more and more attention.
Now, more than ever, we need a national cohesive strategy to deal with the lingering issues following a traumatic brain injury.
The emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioral sequela following a brain injury must be dealt with by our federal government.
Victims of brain injury from whatever source need a comprehensive discharge plan. They need a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. And they need services and supports when they return home.
They need proper referrals, for continued care and support. Family members need assistance in the house, brain injury survivors need transportation accommodations in order to get proper care. Proper telehealth programs must be developed in order to provide needed assistance to these individuals.
Most importantly, we need community based services and supports. We need comprehensive insurance coverage for brain injury survivors to provide these services and supports to them.
Those individuals who are Medicaid recipients and apply for the brain injury waiver program in their state can’t be placed on a waiting list. They need that care now. And those individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid need insurance companies to pay for these same services and supports that Medicaid recipients are eligible to receive.
Brain injury is an invisible injury. It’s not written on a person’s forehead.
There needs to be a clear pathway for these individuals to obtain proper services, rehabilitation, and support.