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