Identifying the correct support following Brain Injury

The acquired brain injury (ABI) may impact various aspects of normal life: movement, thinking, behaviour, communication, and emotions. Although adjusting to the new environment might be a challenging experience, it can be overcome by timely diagnosis and proper guidance. Through these proper services, finances and rehabilitation programmes, a large number of individuals recover abilities, regain their autonomy, and continue to do the things that are significant to them.

This manual describes the diagnosis of an ABI, the available funds in Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) eligibility criteria, and the nature of assistance that might be availed to support individuals and families in the recovery process.

How Is an ABI Diagnosed?

Diagnosis plays the most important role to determine the kind of injury it is and its severity and treatment as well as rehab plans required. Physicians begin with a history of the medical case and a neurological examination, followed by proposing imaging or surveillance.

Owing to the nature of the brain injuries, a number of tests are typically required, specifically:

• The CT or MRI scans demonstrate the presence of swelling, bleeding, structural damage, and other tissue abnormalities
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) test, a method used to detect seizures or unusual electrical activity of the brain by measuring electrical activity in the area
• PET scans (which assess the functionality of various areas of the brain) are used to assess brain activity
• Sometimes used in hospitals, intracranial pressure monitoring is used to monitor pressure due to swelling
• Lumbar puncture, involving the removal of cerebrospinal fluid to test it (infection or other neurological problem)

Although diagnosis can provide valuable information, it is not always accurate when it comes to long-term recovery. This stage is usually full of uncertainty and thus professional counselling and emotional support is particularly significant.

What Are the Funding Sources of an ABI?

Normal living with an ABI includes continuous rehabilitation, treatment, and daily living assistance. There are various funding avenues that can be used to cover these expenses in Australia and the choice of avenue depends on the impacts on the independence and working capacity of the individual who sustained the injury.

One of the primary disability funding sources is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It provides financial assistance to individuals who have long-term and serious disabilities. The therapy services, assistive equipment, daily living support, and community participation programmes can be funded.

In case a person is not eligible in the NDIS, there can also be alternative variants that could be used. Disability Support Pension (DSP) provides income support to individuals whose health prevents them a long term employment. Others can also receive insurance claims, rehabilitation grants or advocacy programmes to assist in funding applications and service systems.

NDIS Eligibility Criteria of ABI

ABI is a disability under the NDIS in case it causes long-term functional impairments that affect everyday life. Parkinson’s disease and some types of dementia are also mentioned under NDIS eligibility as some of the neurological conditions capable of causing ABI.

In order to qualify, the applicants generally have to:

• At the time of application, be aged between 7 and 65 years.
• Permanent residency, permanent citizenship or eligible visa, a permanent resident of Australia, and Australian citizenship.
• Permanently exhibit a significant impairment of functioning in such areas as mobility, communication, learning, or self-care.

Medical evidence of permanence of condition and need of support with daily functions. When a plan is approved, it is prepared that outlines the funds to be assisted to the person based on his or her goals and requirements.

What Are the Support Available under NDIS Funding?

The NDIS funding assists the individuals to stay independent and do not miss the chance of living life. Depending on the needs of individuals, they may be funded:

• Assistance with everyday personal care and with the home.
• Helping devices or mobility devices like wheelchairs or walking aids.
• Therapy services: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, behavioural support, and speech therapy.
• Education, job or big transition in life support.
• Commute to work, meetings, and social engagements.
• Support or housing assistance to independent living.
• Social participation programmes and community engagement programmes.

The NDIS participants have the option of selecting the providers and workers which suit them and their objectives most, and the way the supports are provided is flexible.

What If I Do Not Qualify to be a Part of the NDIS or any other Fund?

Government programme requirements are not met by all people with ABI. Those cases do not deny individuals the opportunity to have a personal support. The private arrangements enable them to select the amount of assistance required, select the right workers, and plan the schedules that best suit their schedule.

Short-term grants, rehab programmes, or support services provided by the community organisation and non-profits also allow individuals to receive therapy and remain self-reliant even without formal funding.

How Support Services Can Be Beneficial to individuals with ABI

The support services may be oriented to the individual goals and rehabilitation programme. Assistance may include:

• Assistance in dressing, showering, feeding, and other ADL
• Home services: cleaning, shopping, making appointments
• Sessions or instructions of allied health therapy or home exercise
• Cognitive and communication, such as memory strategies or conversation practise
• Pacing activities to deal with tiredness and maintain a normal routine
• Work, education or medical transportation assistance
• Community based, hobbies or recreational participation support
• Respite to provide temporary relief to family members and primary carers
• Heavy, customised support increases confidence, relieves stress on the family, and promotes long-term autonomy

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during rehabilitation following hospital treatment?

Rehab normally begins when an individual is already medically stable and may involve physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychological support over months or years.

What is the way of finding financial assistance following ABI?

Depending on the circumstances and eligibility, people can apply to receive NDIS funding or Disability Support Pension payments or other rehabilitation grants.

What are the services that are not included under NDIS?

The health system usually covers general medical treatment and hospital care, surgery, medications, and regular dental services instead of NDIS.

What is the source of other ABI information and support?

The rehabilitation services, education, and family support programmes are provided by such organisations in Australia, as Brain Injury Australia, Synapse Australia, Brainlink and the rehabilitation services of hospitals.