Advances in medical technology have saved lives that otherwise would have been lost. With that duty, comes responsibility to provide resources to enhance the quality of the life saved--helping and rebuilding that same life is an art and a gift called case management.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the most costly and complex diagnoses a case manager encounters. Weaving through the maze of medical, physical, behavioral/cognitive issues are challenging enough, without the added demand of deciding how to maximize healthcare resources available, or to find funding where there is none to be found.

Knowing options available for TBI survivors, mixed with a bit of creativity, provides the patient the best possible outcome. As with other catastrophic cases, empowering the patient and family/support system participants to advocate and act in the person’s best interest, through resource education, is one of the most effective strategies to utilize in determining current and future planning with the challenges they may encounter.

While TBI survivors generally improve medically over a period of time, the psychosocial needs are ongoing; and are easily overlooked by the medical professionals in the resource allocation process, especially when a traditional medical model is followed. Unlike a broken bone or a routine surgery, the recovery time for TBI survivors is often measured in months or years, rather than weeks or months.

Strategies for exploring short- and long-term solutions, while maximizing limited resources for TBI survivors, will be discussed. Areas of particular interest that have been consistently identified by TBI survivors, as well as the professionals who care for them, include but are not limited to: rehab options for the underfunded/uninsured, productive day activities, transportation options, social support, housing, supported employment, practical life skill development, and ongoing medical management.

This interactive course will allow participants to engage in a personal exercise simulating the loss of functions and roles frequently experienced by TBI survivors and their families. They will be given the task of utilizing the resources and information covered in this workshop to formulate a reasonable treatment plan as an empathy experience in managing TBI survivors.

1. Describe 5 short- and long- term areas of need for brain injury survivors.
2. Identify 5 community resources that would benefit brain injury survivors.
3. List 3 areas of personal relevance, and identify long-term resources in your area for each one.