What type of care can you expect to receive?


 * Care for a survivor of brain injury can mean many different things; it can look at the care received inside of the hospital,
 * the care received on an outpatient basis or the care received based upon your living situation. Many survivors of TBI will be
 * the first to say, that money plays a big factor in their care. If an individual has money to use towards their rehabilitation,
 * then there will be better resources and services available then those that are publicly funded.


 * Individuals who tend to get the most rehabilitation and the best rehabilitation are individuals who have been in an MVA, considering
 * they will get insurance money to pay for the rehabilitation, support and services that are needed and they also will possibly get a
 * lifelong settlement which will assist them if they are unable to work. Generally, if an individual is in need of outpatient
 * rehabilitation, supports and services, the insurance money will insure that they do not have to wait for a long time and that those
 * they receive are the best ones they can. The downside to all of this though is that depending upon the type of accident or the province
 * that they live in, there can be a no fault clause and that can result in long legal battles.


 * Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist works with individuals on all aspects of life. Rehabilitation
 * may be to function in the home, adaptations to the home, or cognitive re-training. An OT will look at a person as
 * a whole and work with a survivor of TBI on all issues.


 * Physical Therapy: A physical therapist works with a survivor of TBI in respect to any physical injuries that
 * they may have. It could be assisting them in learning to walk, use an arm again, or gain upper or lower body strength.
 * A physical therapist works solely on the physical aspects of rehabilitation.


 * Speech Therapy: A speech therapist works on regaining speech, making the connection with language and assisting
 * an individual of brain injury in any speech issues that they may have.


 * Recreational Therapist: A recreational therapist is not often used and often an OT will cover this aspect.
 * An RT will focus on recreation and leisure for a survivor of TBI and assist them in recreational activities and
 * quality of life.


 * Social Worker: A social worker works with the survivor and their family on all aspects of the brain injury.
 * They will assist them in navigating through the system, assist them in applying for funding if needed, and link
 * them to supports and services within the community. They can also assist them in finding appropriate living
 * arrangements if that is needed.


 * Neurologist: A neurologist deals with just the neurological aspect of the disability. For an individual with a TBI,
 * this would be how the brain is functioning, any needed follow-up, and what tests need to be done. Often a neurologist
 * would consult with a physiatrist.


 * Physiatrist: A physiatrist is considered a brain doctor and looks at the brain after an individual has suffered from a
 * TBI. A physiatrist will work with the individual as a whole, look at walking, talking, movement and cognitive issues and
 * also work with the whole team that is in place for the care of the individual.


 * Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist will come into play if there are concerns about the individual’s well being. How they
 * are doing emotionally and mentally, if they need more emotional or mental support and services and if they may need
 * counselling or medication for depression