Getting an acquired brain injury is something nobody expects, but it can happen and affect every aspect of daily life.
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At a glance
- Overview of ABI: An acquired brain injury (ABI) happens after events like strokes, trauma, or tumors. It can cause complex cognitive, physical, speech, and behavioral challenges that need tailored support.
- Care options: Depending on needs, options include home care, supported living, standard care homes, or specialist residential rehabilitation. Support can range from minor daily help to 24/7 care.
- Specialist services: ABI care usually combines 24-hour residential or nursing support with rehabilitation therapies (speech, physiotherapy, occupational therapy) and emotional wellbeing support.
- Funding options: Many people qualify for support through NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), local authority funding, or personal injury claims.
Receiving the right care and support is essential but can be difficult to find, especially for younger adults. Many people have support from home, while others find it more practical or necessary to move into a care home due to their needs.
What is a brain injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is brain damage caused by an event such as a stroke, inflammation, tumour, lack of oxygen or head trauma (traumatic brain injury – TBI).
People who experience these can suddenly find themselves with extensive care and support needs overnight. They may make a full or partial recovery over time, or need support for the rest of their lives.
Injury to the brain can cause a wide range of complex difficulties. Which part of the brain was damaged has a significant effect on this, as different cortexes play different roles in a person’s functionality.
Difficulties can include:
- Cognitive, such as poor memory, attention span, ability to process information or mental fatigue.
- Speech and language, such as aphasia.
- Behavioural and emotional, such as a dramatic change in personality, reckless behaviour, loss of inhibitions, or low mood.
- Physical, such as partial or full paralysis, persistent headaches, continence issues and breathing difficulties.
Are there care homes for people living with an acquired brain injury (ABI)?
Most people with an ABI are eventually able to leave hospital. Organising the next step can be challenging, as many have complex needs that require specialist care.
There are a few care options for people who have an ABI when they are discharged. These include:
- Home care – Carers or a multidisciplinary team visit the person in their home.
- Residential rehabilitation care home – A specialist residential facility for people living with an ABI. Residents will have their own room, while some offer suites for greater independence.
- Care home – A residential care home for people living with various conditions and needs. Care is still person-centred and staff are trained to support these.
- Supported living – A small community of individual flats, sometimes houses, where people living there live largely independently but have access to support when needed.
Which a person chooses depends very much on the level of care they need. Some people with an ABI can live mostly independently with a little weekly support, while others can have severe difficulties with mobility and communication, for example, and require 24/7 care.
People may settle in one home long-term, or move to facilities that offer greater independence as they recover.
How can I find an acquired brain injury care home?
Carehome.co.uk has a listings for over 3600 care homes across the UK that offer care for ABI, which you can view and refine here.
Headway UK has a comprehensive list of specialist ABI care providers by region.
The rehabilitation or neurology team from hospital can also provide information and contact details for appropriate services.
What’s included in acquired brain injury care?
Care and support for people living with an acquired brain injury is often based around medical care, practical support and rehabilitation.
As with any care home resident, they will have a detailed care plan built around their needs. Care will be planned in a way that caters for these needs while supporting them to live with as much choice and independence as possible. For people with ABI, specialist rehabilitation programmes help them to rebuild skills and recover as much as possible.
Residential and nursing care
Support with day to day living, such as help to take medication, wash, dress, outings and activities, as well as 24-hour supervision if required.
Nursing care is that which must be provided by a Registered Nurse, such as managing bed sores, changing cannulas or tracheostomy care.
Some of this care may require specialist or mobility equipment.
Rehabilitation therapies
Care homes can facilitate various therapies that a resident may need to support them in their rehabilitation. These support them to rebuild skills that help them to build towards increased independence and recovery.
Some therapies can include:
- Speech therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Neuropsychology
Therapists will either visit the home or a member of staff will accompany the resident to appointments. Specialist rehabilitation centres may have therapists who work on site.
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Emotional and psychological support
Living with the effects of an acquired brain injury can be emotionally challenging and possibly traumatic. It can also leave people with difficulties in managing their emotions or behaviours due to the damage.
People with ABI often benefit from support with mental health and rebuilding confidence, such as counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and therapeutic outlets that they find helpful, such as exercise or art.
How to pay for a brain injury specialist care home?
The complex nature of care for people with ABI often means they qualify for funding for their care.
Funding options include:
- Most funding will likely be through NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) or NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC).
- Benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Universal Credit (if you are under State Pension age). Here is further information on benefits you can claim in a care home.
- Local authority funding. You qualify for this if you have below a certain amount of money. Each UK country has its own capital limits, so it’s a good idea to read more about qualifying for LA funding.
- Self-funding. If you have capital above your country’s upper limit, you have to pay for your care yourself.
- Personal injury compensation payouts can be substantial and specifically cover costs of care. If your brain injury was caused by an accident that could have been prevented, you may wish to seek legal advice on making a claim.
Next steps
- Consult medical teams: Contact hospital neurology or rehabilitation teams for tailored recommendations and local care service contact details.
- Utilise specialised directories: Search platforms like carehome.co.uk (thousands of ABI care homes) or Headway UK’s regional provider lists.
- Explore financial assessments: Request an NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessment or check eligibility for local authority support and benefits.
FAQs
How can I find a care home that supports acquired brain injury?
Search carehome.co.uk for ABI care homes, check Headway UK’s list of specialist providers, or ask a hospital neurology or rehabilitation team for recommendations and service details.
What kinds of difficulties can an acquired brain injury cause?
An ABI can cause a range of challenges, depending on the area of brain damage. These include memory loss, fatigue, speech and language difficulties (like aphasia), mood or personality changes, and physical symptoms such as paralysis, headaches, or breathing problems.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a disability affecting a person’s ability to communicate through language, including speech and writing. It is caused by damage to the brain such as a stroke, dementia, brain tumour or brain injury.