Qualification Level: U
Supporting Survivors and Caregivers after Brain Injury: A program for psychosocial support
by Patty van Belle-Kusse and Judith Zadoks
This workbook for families, caregivers, and therapists is a unique programme based on the premise that a brain injury affects not only the individual, but the entire family. Whether the survivor lives at home, in a residential programme, in a nursing or assisted living facility, it provides a method for everyone to view the entire person, not just the brain injury.
It helps caregivers address the questions of:
- How can I help the person with a brain injury sort out his life again?
- What does she hope to achieve in the future and are her goals realistic?
- How do I talk about these things with him?
- How can I help care for her without taking over her life?
Many survivors and families talk about life before and after the brain injury. This workbook helps them work with caregivers to connect both these lives, regain control, and improve their lives.
The SABI programme includes the person with a brain injury (the survivor), the family and caregivers in all aspects of care and support. Together, they work and function as a team.
Full Description
The SABI programme helps families, survivors and caregivers explore who the person is behind the brain injury. It is a step by step method for developing a personal profile, identifying key life events, examining the meaning of the diagnosis, describing abilities and limitations, looking at pre injury personal development, and identifying current lifestyle and coping strategies.
The SABI programme discusses:
- Changes in the survivor's brain
- Changes in perspective and priorities for the survivor
- Changes in social support and friends
- New way of looking at life after brain injury
- Striving for maximum quality of life.
The workbook is filled with personal examples using a variety of individuals, challenges, services and living situations. It helps the survivor, family and caregiver put life in perspective by exploring 12 life themes of:
- Appearance
- Health
- Family/Relationships
- Sexuality
- Work
- Recreation
- Social contacts
- Housing and housekeeping
- Finances
- Certainty about the future
- Independence
- Meaning in life.
The workbook comes with a CD with PDF files for all forms so they can be used many times as the person progresses, as family situations change, as new needs and challenges are identified, and as services and living arrangements are developed.
Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Summary of Research
Chapter 1 Living with a Brain Injury
- Implications of Acquired Brain Injury
- Essentials of the SABI Method
- The SABI Model Step by Step
Chapter 2 Exploration Phase: The Person Behind a Brain Injury
Introduction
- Personal Profile
- Key Life Events
- Diagnosis
- Abilities and Limitations
- Pre-Injury Personal Development
- Lifestyle
- Coping Strategy
Chapter 3 Exploration Phase: Life in Perspective
- Life Themes
- Eliciting Information
- Connection and Agreement
Chapter 4 Evolution Phase
- Cycle of Evolution
- Start (Reason)
- Question Behind the Question
- Plan
- Do
- Evaluate
Chapter 5 Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs
- Eliciting Information
- Working Toward Achieving a Goal
- General
Appendix 1 The 12 Life Themes in Focus
Appearance
Health
Family/Relationships
Sexuality
Work
Recreation
Social Contacts
Housing and Housekeeping
Finances
Certainty about the Future
Independence
Meaning in Life
