On Thursday, January 8th, New Vitae hosted members of the Success Rehabilitation, Inc. team to engage in training and discussion about the challenges associated with assisting individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI.

Traumatic Brain Injuries typically result from blunt force to the head.  These types of injuries can be a consequence of a variety of impacts to the head, including motor vehicle accidents, accidents during military service, or assaults.  The visiting Success Rehabilitation, Inc. team, comprised of Diane Beres, MSW, LSW, Erica Place, MSW, LSW, CBIS, Stephanie Bauman, BA, and Mary Cowgill, MA, provided an overview of the services offered at Success.  The speakers identified the impact TBI can have on an individual’s functioning, including challenges with mobility, peer relationships, work, and home life.   Training participants engaged in conversation regarding possible outcomes of TBI (for example, reduced concentration, fatigue, and emotional lability), as well as ways to combat these challenges.  The Success team emphasized the use of repetition and a structured environment when teaching new skills or re-engaging individuals with TBI in daily activities.

Other areas of interest included: limiting noise and interruptions to build focus, the use of regular breaks to reduce fatigue, planning to improve impulse control, and the use of role play and mood charts to identify emotions and reduce mood swings.  Staff members will be adapting and utilizing these concepts in order to improve the lives of those individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injury.

For more information on the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury, please visit the website for The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania. To learn about our brain injury treatment program, contact New Vitae Wellness and Recovery today.