Family
When your family member has sustained a brain injury and is now ready to return to work there are things to consider. Life after a brain injury is a journey and you are about to enter a new phase of the journey called Return to Work (RTW) or Employment. There are many aspects to be considered by the individual, the employer, the family, and support staff when a brain injury survivor returns to work. With proper planning, communication and patience, this new phase of the post brain injury journey can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Family - Frequently Ask Questions
My family member needs help while on the job. Who can help?
Your family member may be eligible for employment supports through vocational rehabilitation. Vocational Rehab or VR has local office throughout the state. Call the main VR office at 800-299-1647.
Transportation is an issue, what can we do?
Transportation can be challenging for individuals who work and cannot drive. First, check locally to see if there is public transportation. If so, ask if they have reduced rates for disabled passengers. If you have area agency or vocational rehabilitation supports, ask your case manager to help assist you with your transportation needs. This may mean changing the goals of your current support plan with your case manager. You can ask fellow employees if they would be able to assist you with a ride. They may do it for free or they may ask for a minimal contribution for gas.
My family member wants to go back to their old job and cannot because of their brain injury. They won’t listen to me – what should I do?
This is a difficult situation for you and the answer may not be easy. Sometimes, you have to allow the individual to go back to work and learn on their own that, they really are not able to perform as well as they once did on the job. Your role would be to support the individual through this. If there are medical reasons why the individual cannot return to work, you can ask their doctors’ assistance in delivering the message to the individual that, the doctor will not allow them to return to work. You may need to have the employer deliver the message that the individual is not going to be allowed to return to work.
Since my family member has had their brain injury, I am afraid for their safety when they go back to work. Who can I talk to about this?
Fear of another injury is a normal worry to those who have a family member with a brain injury, especially if the incident brought them close to death. There are Brain Injury Support Groups offered in many locations in NH, a grief counselor may be helpful, or a traditional counselor.
For more questions and information call Brain Injury Association of NH at (603) 225-8400
Family - Neuropsy Evaluations
Brain Injury often affects cognitive abilities, behavior and emotions. Common complaints from survivors and family members are trouble with remembering things, word finding, concentrating and multi-tasking. Emotional changes may include depression, frustration, difficulty controlling anger and mood changes.
Many individuals who sustain a brain injury undergo neuropsychological evaluations. Often the neuropsychological evaluation can be a starting point for the counselor to work you’re your family member regarding returning to work.
Encourage your family member to get a good night sleep prior to the evaluation as they can take up to 6 hours to complete.
On the day of the evaluation, your family member will be asked questions about their past regarding work and school. Other friends or family members could also be asked to describe what they were like prior to their injury, was the person outgoing; did they have a short temper; did they like to do activities alone? The individual will then participate in a series of different tests. Breaks will be offered to the individual. If the evaluation appears to be taking longer then expected, the individual may be asked to return on a different day to complete all the needed tests.
Once the evaluation is completed, the Neuropsychologist will write a report that will be sent to the individual and their counselor. The report will provide information regarding their strengths and areas that may be challenging for them. You may also request a feedback session to discuss the results.
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