Family Information and Support Program
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) such as through trauma, a stroke, hypoxia, or degenerative neurological condition, is not something that just happens to the individual; its ramifications are felt right throughout the family. Today more and more people survive ABI and through rehabilitation many individuals are able to return to their home, rather than nursing homes. However many individuals can only return home with the help and support of a carer who is generally a member of their family, more often their partner or daughter.
Considerable demands are often placed on the carer's physical and emotional resources and, unfortunately, too often the carer's own health can decline.
The Family Information and Support Program aims to assist families to effectively manage these new and challenging situations. The courses are designed to meet the special needs of carers of people who care for a loved one or friend with an Acquired Brain Injury.
These free courses are run over a four-week period (one day a week) and cover issues such as:
- Understanding Acquired Brain Injury, stroke and neurological conditions.
- What is a Carer, and how have the roles changed.
- Grief and Loss, and changes in family dynamics.
- Practical tips, regarding communication difficulties, personal care needs and understanding the Health Team.
- Understanding and responding to difficult behaviour and personality changes.
- Looking After You! Including your rights and responsibilities as a carer, stress management, acceptance of support and developing networks
- Information about Respite Services and Community Services in your local area and how to access them.
- How to develop an emergency plan, and information about planning for future changes.
The program also offers an invaluable opportunity for carers to share their experiences with others in similar situations.
Some comments from carers who have attended the courses include:
“I came the first day, most apprehensive, but have found help and friends.
”
The 4-week course has made such a difference to the way I view my life as a carer and my husband's life as a dependent. I take more care of myself — time in the garden, relaxing music, friends. I can say no. I have more empathy and love for my husband. We now concentrate on all the things he can do, adjust to those he can not and live our life as joyful and involved as possible.
The course “Helped me find some peace for myself.
”
The course provided practical advice and information. It has made me realise that it is important to care for myself. Interaction with other carers has opened my eyes to the fact that I am not alone. I feel more confident that I will be able to cope with the practical and emotional issues of my husband's deteriorating health.
“It gave me the permission not to feel guilty about taking time for myself.
”
To know that other people experience the same (hurt, despair, pressures, anger and loss) the way they handled their feelings, to take their strengths and apply what I feel appropriate to help me in my down times.
The Family Information and Support Program is presented by BrainLink Services Victoria, in conjunction with:
Australian Huntington's Disease Association
Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Victoria
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Parkinson's Vic Inc. in the Southern Region and
Villa Maria in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.
For upcoming dates, click on the relevant link: New dates coming soon.
For further information regarding program content, dates, and locations please contact us on: (03) 9845 2950 or
Toll Free: 1800 677 579 or email: coordinator@brainlink.org.au
Updated 29 September, 2008