Brain Injury Association NSW
(BIA NSW)
Presentation
Rachel Merton – CEO
Bev Taylor – Training and Development Manager
ABI and Homelessness
April 2013
Outline
BIA NSW What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) A few statistics Living life after an ABI How can BIA NSW assist you? Questions
Who is BIA NSW?
The Brain Injury Association of NSW (BIA NSW)
the peak body in NSW for people affected by acquired brain injury (ABI)
advocacy and support information and resources
What do we do?
Support for people with an ABI, their families and carers: Information and referral service (1800 number) Individual advocacy service Brokerage packages CarerLink mentoring program
Systemic advocacy Representation to government and policy makers Submissions Media advocacy
What do we do?
Building knowledge and networks Training (general and tailored) Facilitating networks – interagency and partnerships
Raising awareness of ABI: Speakers Bureau: supporting people with ABI to share
their story – for education and awareness-raising Using the media Newsletters, fact-sheets, presentations
What do we do?
We shine the spotlight on ABI to make visible the invisible disability!
BIA NSW What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) A few statistics Living life after an ABI How can BIA NSW assist you? Discussion
Definition of ABI
An injury to the brain after birth. The effects may be either temporary or
permanent. May cause partial or total disability.
ABI can happen to anybody at any time
Types of Acquired Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Non-traumatic Brain Injury
What is TBI?
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) is one type of ABI TBI is caused by violent physical force to the head (eg:
MVA’s, assaults, falls, sporting accidents or acceleration forces alone (eg: MVA)
TBI may cause the brain to bleed, tear, be penetrated, stretched, bruised or become swollen
TBI can result in complete recovery, permanent disability or death
How does ABI happen?
AcquiredBrain Injury
Trauma Brain
Tumour
Toxins
Hypoxia
Degen.
Diseases
Infection
Stroke
MVAFalls
AssaultsSport
Pedestrians
Growths (maligna
nt & benign)Surgery
to remove
AlcoholDrugs
ChemicalsMedicatio
nPetrol
Heart Attack
DrowningSuffocatio
nSuicide
ChildbirthMedical
Ischaemic blocked-
arteryHaemorrha
gic (bleed in the brain)
Dementia
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
Encephalitis
MeningitisDental
abscess Cold sores
/herpes
BIA NSW What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) A few statistics Living life after an ABI How can BIA NSW assist you? Discussion/brainstorm
BIA NSW What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) A few statistics Living life after an ABI How can BIA NSW assist you? Discussion/brainstorm
Prevalence: How many people have an ABI?
1 in 45 Australians (432,700 people) have ABI with activity limitations or participation restrictions due to disability.
Almost three-quarters of these people are under 65 years About 20,000 are under 15 years
Now: there are more survivors from MVAs – many are living with severe injuries and limited access to support
Source: ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003
Incidence: No. of TBIs per year
Source: AIHW 2007 Bulletin 55
21,800 hospital stays69% malesPeaks: Males 15-24 years (MVAs, sport accidents); Both sexes: >75 years (falls)
Hospitalisations for TBI, Australia, 2004-05
Disadvantaged Communities
Rates of ABI are higher in socially disadvantaged populations: ATSI:
– prevalence estimates are three times that of non-ATSI communities,
– One study found head injury due to assault among ATSI communities was 21 times higher than for non-ATSI Australians (854/100,000 cf 40.7/100,000 for the non-ATSI population)
People in the criminal justice system– Higher prevalence and incidence than general population– Estimated 60% of prisoners have ABI with one study showing up
to 80%Sources: Jamieson et al, 2008; Schofield et al, 2006; Brain Injury Australia (July 2011) Out of sight, out of mind: People with an acquired brain injury and the criminal justice system
Involvement with police
People with an ABI have: a higher number of contacts with police than people without
an ABI a higher proportion of convictions for minor offences than
offenders without an ABI (Dowse et al). 40% of convictions in Dowse’s cohort were for ‘theft and related offences’ or ‘road traffic and motor vehicle regulatory offences’. A further 12% were for public order offences.
Sources: Dowse L et al (April 2011) People with mental health disorders and cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system: Impact of acquired brain injury (a study of 604 people within the CJS identified as having an ABI)Brain Injury Australia (July 2011) Out of sight, out of mind: People with an acquired brain injury and the criminal justice system
BIA NSW What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) A few statistics Living life after an ABI How can BIA NSW assist you? Discussion/brainstorm
The location of the brain damage The severity of the injury The length of time since injury The extent a person has been able to integrate back
into the community Access to rehabilitation The extent a person retains important/personal
relationships and friendships
The effects of ABI can be complicated by:
Changes after ABI
Physical problems Sensory problems Cognitive (thinking) problems Emotional problems Problems with social interaction Communication problems Overwhelming grief/sense of loss Before/Now comparisons Severe impact on families and friends
May lead to ... Changes to important relationships - people commonly
lose key relationships and have trouble making new ones Social isolation, exploitation, neglect - access to services
and support is unfair and inequitable Loss of employment, financial hardship, homelessness Loss of value status and respect in the community Mental health issues Drug and alcohol dependency Involvement with Criminal Justice System Need for long-term support
Some challenges to services
Lack of motivation Memory problems (eg not attending appointments;
retaining information) Behaviours of concern Communication difficulties Lack of natural / social supports High rate of comorbidity with other problems Mild ABI – significant for person but may not meet
eligibility criteria
Practical Techniques
Emotional support– Speak clearly, calmly, reassuringly, in an adult voice– Avoid arguments and confrontations– Use non-verbal expressions
Memory Aids – Help clients with memory / reminder techniques– Write important things down– Use repetition – Use visual aids
Practical Techniques - cont’d
Reduce confusion– Allow processing time– Reduce background noise and distractions– Keep concepts and instructions clear and concise– Realistic goal setting – Ask the person to repeat back to you what they understand
Respect– Treat people with cognitive disabilities as adults– Adjust communication to match person’s understanding
ABI: ‘The Hidden Disability’
Causes problems with a person’s basic ability to think and make decisions
Not as easy to distinguish as other physical disabilities
People with a brain injury may be misunderstood, ignored and ‘judged’ by others (common labels: lazy, non-compliant, argumentative, ‘difficult’)
Source: Changed Lives, Headway Victoria 2005.
BIA NSW What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) How is ABI different from … A few statistics Living life after an ABI How can BIA NSW assist you?
Brainstorm?
How can BIA NSW help you?
Information and Referral service Training and professional development; mentoring Resources and handouts Brokerage Online information Membership and newsletters
– For you– For people you work with
Programs for people with an ABI and their families Interagencies, networking Other
BIA NSW
Phone: (02) 9868 5261Toll free: 1800 820 840
www.biansw.org.au
You can also find us on Facebook!
Remember to ‘Bang on a Beanie’ during Brain Injury Awareness Week
12th to 20th August 2013