Acquired Brain Injury Care at Home: A Family Guide
An acquired brain injury can have a lasting impact on someone's life, affecting everything from mobility and communication to memory, behaviour and everyday activities. For some people, the effects mean they need ongoing support to manage daily life safely and comfortably.
Acquired brain injury care at home provides personalised support for people living with the effects of a brain injury, helping them maintain their routines, independence and quality of life in familiar surroundings.
For families, understanding the care options available can be an important step towards finding the right support for a loved one.
In this guide, we explore what acquired brain injury care involves, who may benefit from support at home and what to consider when choosing a care provider.
What is an acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It can happen at any stage of life and may result from a sudden injury, illness or another medical event.
Acquired brain injuries can be broadly divided into two categories:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Damage caused by an external force, such as a fall, road traffic collision or other head injury.
Non-traumatic brain injury: Damage caused by an internal medical event or condition, such as a stroke, brain infection, lack of oxygen to the brain or certain other neurological conditions.
The effects of an acquired brain injury vary significantly from person to person. Some people recover much of their previous ability, while others experience long-term changes and require ongoing care and support.
What are the effects of an acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury can affect different areas of a person's life, depending on the nature and severity of the injury.
Some people may experience physical difficulties, while others may need support with cognitive, emotional or behavioural changes.
Common effects can include:
Physical difficulties: Changes to mobility, balance, coordination or muscle control.
Cognitive changes: Difficulties with memory, concentration, planning or problem-solving.
Communication challenges: Changes to speech, language comprehension or the ability to express needs.
Emotional changes: Difficulties managing emotions, anxiety, frustration or changes in mood.
Behavioural changes: Changes in behaviour, impulse control or responses to everyday situations.
Fatigue: Increased tiredness or difficulty managing activities throughout the day.
Swallowing difficulties: Problems swallowing safely, which may require specialist assessment and support.
Not everyone will experience all these effects. A person's support needs should be assessed individually and reviewed as their circumstances change.
What is acquired brain injury care at home?
Acquired brain injury care at home involves providing practical, personal and, where required, specialist support to someone living with the effects of a brain injury.
The aim is to help the individual manage their daily needs while remaining in their own home, surrounded by familiar people, routines and belongings.
Depending on the person's circumstances, support may be provided for a few hours a day, throughout the day or through a 24-hour care package.
For people with more complex needs, care may involve trained support workers working alongside family members, case managers and relevant healthcare professionals.
The support provided should reflect the individual's abilities, preferences, risks and goals, rather than assuming that everyone with an acquired brain injury needs the same level of care.
What support can someone with an acquired brain injury receive at home?
The type of support required will depend on how the brain injury affects the person's daily life.
A personalised care package may include several areas of support.
1. Personal care and daily living
Some people may need assistance with washing, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting and other everyday activities.
Support should respect the person's dignity, privacy and preferences, encouraging them to complete tasks independently wherever possible.
2. Mobility and physical support
An acquired brain injury can affect balance, coordination, strength and movement.
Depending on the person's needs, support workers may assist with mobility, transfers and following agreed moving and handling guidance.
Any exercises or rehabilitation activities should be undertaken in accordance with the guidance of the relevant professionals involved in the person's care.
3. Communication and cognitive support
Changes to memory, attention, understanding or communication can make everyday activities more challenging.
Support workers may help by maintaining consistent routines, allowing additional time for communication, providing appropriate prompts and following strategies agreed with the person's healthcare team.
Understanding how someone communicates and processes information can help make their support more effective and less overwhelming.
4. Medication and health-related support
Some people require assistance with medication or support relating to additional health needs following a brain injury.
This must be provided in line with the person's care plan, relevant training and applicable clinical guidance.
Where concerns arise or a person's condition changes, the appropriate healthcare professionals should be contacted.
5. Nutrition and swallowing support
Some acquired brain injuries can affect swallowing, eating and drinking.
Where swallowing difficulties are present, the person may require an assessment and recommendations from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a speech and language therapist.
Care workers should follow the person's agreed guidance and support plan. They should not make independent changes to food textures, fluid consistency or feeding arrangements.
6. Emotional wellbeing and social interaction
Living with an acquired brain injury can bring significant changes to a person's relationships, independence and sense of identity.
Consistent support can help someone maintain social connections, take part in activities they enjoy and continue engaging with their community where appropriate.
Recognising the person's preferences and involving them in everyday decisions can also help preserve their sense of control.
Who might benefit from specialist brain injury care at home?
People with a wide range of acquired brain injuries may benefit from support at home.
This can include individuals who:
Have ongoing support needs following a traumatic brain injury.
Are living with the effects of a stroke.
Have experienced a brain injury resulting from a lack of oxygen.
Have physical, cognitive or communication difficulties following an injury.
Require assistance with daily living activities.
Need support alongside ongoing rehabilitation or clinical input.
Have additional complex needs that require coordinated care.
Need a consistent care package following discharge from hospital or a rehabilitation setting.
The right care arrangement will depend on the person's individual needs, living circumstances and the support available from family members and healthcare professionals.
Can someone with an acquired brain injury live at home?
Yes. Many people living with an acquired brain injury can remain at home, although the level of support they require will vary.
For some, this may involve occasional assistance with daily activities. Others may need a more comprehensive package of care, including overnight support or 24-hour assistance.
Remaining at home can allow someone to maintain familiar routines, stay connected to their family and community, and continue doing the things that matter to them.
However, it is important to assess whether the person's home environment, care arrangements and available support can meet their needs safely.
A coordinated approach involving the individual, their family, care provider and relevant healthcare professionals can help identify what support is needed and how it should be delivered.
What is the difference between brain injury rehabilitation and ongoing care?
Brain injury rehabilitation and ongoing care can work alongside one another, but they serve different purposes.
Rehabilitation focuses on helping someone regain or develop abilities following an injury. It may involve physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, neuropsychology or other specialist input.
Ongoing care focuses on supporting the person's daily needs, wellbeing and safety. This may include personal care, mobility assistance, medication support, communication strategies and help maintaining everyday routines.
Some people will need both rehabilitation and ongoing care. Others may have completed a formal rehabilitation programme but continue to require support because of lasting effects from their injury.
A care provider should understand the recommendations made by the professionals involved in the person's rehabilitation and help ensure that relevant guidance is reflected in their day-to-day support.
What should families look for in an acquired brain injury care provider?
Choosing care for a loved one can feel like a significant responsibility, particularly when their needs are complex or changing. When exploring providers, families and case managers may wish to consider the following.
Experience with complex needs
Ask about the provider's experience supporting people with acquired brain injuries and any related needs, such as mobility difficulties, communication challenges or neurological conditions.
Personalised care planning
Care should be built around the individual, taking account of their abilities, preferences, routines, risks and goals.
Staff training and competency
Find out how support workers are trained for the specific needs they will be supporting and how their competency is assessed and maintained.
Consistency of care
Where possible, consistent staffing can help build trusting relationships and allow support workers to become familiar with the person's communication, routines and preferences.
Clinical oversight and coordination
For people with complex health needs, it is important to understand how the provider works with families, case managers and relevant healthcare professionals.
Reviewing changing needs
A person's needs may change over time. Ask how care plans are reviewed, concerns are escalated and additional support is considered when circumstances change.
Clear communication
Families should understand who to contact with questions or concerns and how information about the person's care is shared appropriately.
These considerations can help families assess whether a provider is equipped to deliver support that reflects their loved one's individual circumstances.
How Thriving supports people with acquired brain injuries
At Thriving, we provide personalised complex care at home for people with a range of higher-acuity needs, including people living with the effects of an acquired brain injury.
We recognise that every person's circumstances are different. Our approach considers the individual's support needs, daily routines, preferences and the wider guidance provided by the professionals involved in their care.
Depending on the person's assessed needs, support may include assistance with personal care, mobility, daily living activities and other aspects of a wider complex care package.
We also understand the importance of communication and coordination between the individual, their family, case manager and relevant healthcare professionals.
We aim to provide consistent, person-centred support that helps people remain at home wherever this can appropriately meet their needs.
If you are exploring care options for someone living with an acquired brain injury, our team can discuss their circumstances and help you understand whether Thriving may be able to support them.
Frequently asked questions about acquired brain injury care at home
What is acquired brain injury care?
Acquired brain injury care provides support for people living with the effects of brain damage that occurred after birth. Depending on their needs, this may include personal care, mobility assistance, communication support and help with everyday activities.
Can someone with a brain injury receive care at home?
Yes. Many people with acquired brain injuries receive support in their own homes. The level of care required depends on the effects of the injury, the person's health and the support available to them.
Does everyone with an acquired brain injury need 24-hour care?
No. Some people need only occasional assistance, while others require more intensive support throughout the day and night. Care should be based on an individual assessment of the person's needs.
What is the difference between an acquired brain injury and a traumatic brain injury?
An acquired brain injury is an umbrella term for brain damage that occurs after birth. A traumatic brain injury is one type of acquired brain injury, caused by an external force such as a fall or road traffic collision. Other acquired brain injuries may result from conditions such as stroke or a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Can someone recover from an acquired brain injury?
Recovery varies depending on the cause and severity of the injury, the areas of the brain affected and other individual factors. Some people experience significant improvements, while others have long-term effects. Rehabilitation and appropriate ongoing support can help people work towards their individual goals.
Who arranges acquired brain injury care at home?
Care may be arranged by the individual, their family, a case manager or professionals involved in their discharge or ongoing support. The process will depend on the person's circumstances, funding arrangements and assessed needs.
How do I find the right care provider for someone with a brain injury?
Look for a provider that understands the person's needs, can demonstrate appropriate staff training and offers personalised care planning. It is also worth asking about clinical coordination, consistency of staffing, communication and how changes in needs are managed.
Finding the right support after an acquired brain injury
An acquired brain injury can change many aspects of everyday life, and the right support will look different for every individual.
For some people, care at home can provide the assistance they need to maintain familiar routines and continue living in their own surroundings. For others, a more comprehensive package involving specialist support and clinical coordination may be appropriate.
Understanding the person's needs, exploring the available options and working with the professionals involved in their care can help families make informed decisions.
If you are looking for complex care at home for someone living with an acquired brain injury, contact Thriving to discuss their individual needs and the support available.
