Concept paper: Community based rehabilitation of the person with a severe brain injury

Abstract

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) recognizes that in the secure, loving environment of his/her own home, the person with a brain injury and the family, provided with support and guidance, can effectively augment or supersede hospital-based rehabilitation. This paper will explore the methods used to establish a rehabilitation programme in the home, the initial moves, the family dynamics, the advantages, and some of the programmes required for the restoration of function of sensory, cognitive and motor abilities. The mobilization of the therapy workforce, including the use of extended family and trained volunteers from the community, is explained. The importance of volunteer meetings and the continuing education of the family and volunteers is emphasized. Respite care for the family and the aim of returning the family towards normality is considered. The enormous cost/benefit of the community-based rehabilitation is detailed, and comparative costs between this method and hospital-based rehabilitation are provided.