For individuals finding it difficult or impossible to live independently after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), or other neurologic, catastrophic or challenging diagnosis, including those...
Continue Reading »Speech-language therapy is generically, and at NeuLife, a clinically relevant service that assesses, diagnoses, rehabilitates and helps to prevent communication and swallowing disorders. Speech, language and swallowing disorders arise from a variety of causes, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and other catastrophic injuries. Strokes are a very common cause of swallowing disorders. Although seeming […]
Continue ReadingRehabilitative services are very different from hospital care. Traumatic brain injuries or catastrophic accidents lead to residual impairments beyond hospital level (acute) care. Residential or inpatient environment can address these impairments. A residential rehabilitation environment, like NeuLife, focuses on physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and functional improvements. It focuses on establishing goals for an individual to […]
Continue ReadingBefore sustaining one of the many types of catastrophic injuries for which NeuLife provides specialized post-acute rehabilitation, toiling in a kitchen or in a laundry room was probably viewed as drudgery. But, just as your life, or the life of a loved one, has changed in many other ways since the catastrophic injury, the way […]
Continue ReadingCognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy. Developed primarily by Aaron T. Beck, it is based on the proposition that thoughts, behavior and feelings are connected to one another. It hypothesizes that individuals can overcome their challenges, meet their goals and achieve greater well being by changing the way they think and how they view […]
Continue ReadingAn individual who has experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often has difficulties with social skills. Social skills include assertiveness, social communication and problem- solving skills. An individual who has suffered a TBI may have challenges with social interactions due to changes in his or her behaviors and emotions as a result of the injuries. […]
Continue ReadingAn individual who has experienced a traumatic accident or injury has many challenges in his or her path to recovery. One major concern outside of medical and psychological needs is victimization. Victimization is action toward an individual with intent to harm. Victimization can include physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse or neglect. Individuals with disabilities […]
Continue ReadingA caregiver plays a major role in the life of a person who has experienced a traumatic accident or injury. The individual who is injured needs someone to assist him or her with daily living, either full time or part time. A caregiver is often a spouse, family member or friend. A family member or […]
Continue ReadingResiliency is the capacity to positively cope with stress or adversity. This mechanism is inherent in our make up much like flight or fight. An individual who has suffered a traumatic accident will face a recovery with many stressful situations. Almost any emotion the individual experiences is natural. Symptoms are a normal part of recovery[1]. […]
Continue ReadingAs we have discussed in prior blogs, workers’ compensation is a construct mandated by law and applicable to certain categories of employers. It is intended to provide employees with medical care and reimburse wage loss sustained as a result of work-related injuries. Some of the rationales behind workers’ compensation are: (1) to preclude the injured […]
Continue ReadingAs we have discussed in previous blogs, workers’ compensation insurance can be implicated in a variety of workplace injuries. It is generally required to be maintained by an employer unless the employer is subject to some legal exception. One exception is based on the number of employees, but exceptions vary by jurisdiction. Among the frequent […]
Continue ReadingThe total amputation of a limb involves the surgical severing of it from the rest of the body. The partial amputation of a limb involves the surgical severing of a portion of it from that part of the body to which it is normally attached. According to recent statistics, there are more than two million […]
Continue ReadingSome, but certainly not all, workers’ compensation claims arise from motor vehicle collisions resulting in trauma, brain injury and a variety of other catastrophic injuries. As a threshold matter, a determination must be made whether or not the claim is work related. If it is, workers’ compensation may be implicated. If it is not, the […]
Continue ReadingPerhaps the best way to define the role of a workers’ compensation nurse case manager is to look at the broader definition of case management that is promulgated by a professional organization of case managers: Case management is a collaborative process of assessment, planning and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s health […]
Continue ReadingThe role and status of an “adjuster” is similar in all insurance contexts. In general, an adjuster is a licensed insurance professional. His or her role is to apply the terms and conditions of an insurance policy to the facts and circumstances of a claim and the damages resulting from it. In doing so, an […]
Continue ReadingWorkers’ compensation (sometimes called Workman’s Compensation) is both a type of insurance and a legally mandated benefit of employment. It is based upon the statutory law of most states, although the precise design of the required coverage may vary. For example, employers having fewer than a stated number of employees may not be required to […]
Continue ReadingReturning to work after a traumatic injury is a goal most individuals hold as a top priority after emerging from rehabilitation. There are many reasons returning to work is so important, with finances ranking as number one. Medical bills and household expenses accumulate and there is pressure to regain control. Self-respect, social interactions and a […]
Continue ReadingWhen the term “concussion” is heard or used, the immediate thought may be, “not too serious.” Yet, while that thought may have some truth because concussions run the gamut of “mild” to “severe,” when we examine the dynamics of a concussion and the definition of a traumatic brain injury, we see that a concussion not […]
Continue ReadingThe term “continuum of care” is intertwined with the idea of “integration.” The continuum can be simple or complicated, depending upon the complexity and severity of the injury, the individual’s activities, age and other factors. In effect, on an individual (micro) level, a continuum of care can be viewed as a system of integrated care […]
Continue ReadingA catastrophic injury is often technically defined as a severe injury of the following types, or some combination of them: A spinal cord injury (SCI) A traumatic brain injury (TBI) An injury to the skull, including a skull fracture Catastrophic injuries are also often classified with respect to their outcomes. Broadly, the outcomes can include: […]
Continue ReadingEncephalopathy is a broad term that generically refers to a disease, damage or malfunction of the brain. It shows itself by an altered mental state and brain failure that is sometimes accompanied by physical changes. When the term “anoxic encephalopathy” is used, reference is being made to brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen to […]
Continue ReadingIntracranial pressure (ICP) is best defined as the pressure that is exerted on the brain by an outside force. When what might be called the “ICP system” is properly working, ICP consists of and is created by a normal amount and distribution of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood in and around the brain. However, physical […]
Continue ReadingActivities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the basic aspects of self-care and independent living that most people take for granted — until the ability to perform them is reduced or disappears. This may be due to a stroke, a catastrophic injury, a traumatic brain injury, a traumatic amputation or some other kind of difficult and challenging diagnosis. […]
Continue ReadingDiffuse axonal injury (DAI) is one of the most common, yet devastating, types of traumatic and catastrophic brain injury. The reason that the term “diffuse” is used is because an injury of this type affects a large area of the brain and, therefore, has a potentially broad effect on many brain functions. In contrast a […]
Continue ReadingA subarachnoid hemorrhage can best be defined as bleeding between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it. That area is called the “subarachnoid space.” A subarachnoid hemorrhage has several possible causes: Bleeding due to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). A brain AVM is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. An AVM is usually […]
Continue ReadingGenerically, an aneurysm is an abnormal, balloon-like bulge in an artery. An artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to outlying parts of the body. Although arteries have comparatively thick walls and can, therefore, withstand normal blood pressure, various types of problems can damage or injure the artery walls and […]
Continue ReadingGenerically, an aneurysm is an abnormal, balloon-like bulge in an artery. An artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to outlying parts of the body, in this case, the brain. Although arteries have comparatively thick walls and can, therefore, withstand normal blood pressure, various types of problems can damage or […]
Continue ReadingA subdural hematoma is a rupture of a vein located between the skull and the surface of the brain. Often, the vein involved is very small. Subdural hematomas ordinarily result from a serious and traumatic head injury, and medical problems associated with that kind of injury usually present immediately. When they occur in this way, […]
Continue ReadingTraumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect both the young and old. The elderly population is on the increase due to advancements in healthcare prevention and medical care or treatment. The statistics tell us that the elderly population will double and almost triple over the next 15 years and are at a greater risk for traumatic brain […]
Continue ReadingAs discussed in the previous article on skull fractures, the skull provides a protective layer around the brain. Below the skull, cerebrospinal fluid also protects the brain. This is a watery fluid produced by special cells in the ventricles — four hollow spaces in the brain. They are enclosed in a meningeal covering, providing further […]
Continue ReadingThe skull is divided into two main parts: Neurocranium: formed by cranial bones that house and protect the brain. This is sometimes called the “braincase.” Viscerocranium: bones that form and protect the face. The number of bones that form each the two parts can differ based on the authorities consulted. For example, some authorities count bones that […]
Continue ReadingLearning to live with limitations is about acceptance and focusing on strengths. Physical and medical limitations are concrete and it is easier to accept what you can and cannot do. The cognitive and behavioral limitations are harder to identify and accept. Day-to-day life after a traumatic accident is one of uncertainty and constant change. There […]
Continue ReadingA stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack” and is a catastrophic injury. The analogy is that, like a heart attack, the blood and the glucose it contains, ceases to flow to a vital organ. In the case of a heart attack, the heart is the vital organ, but in the case of a stroke, […]
Continue ReadingSupport groups are an important part of recovery from a traumatic accident. Recovery is a process of healing physically, mentally, socially and vocationally. Support groups exist to bring people together who have had similar experiences and challenges. Support groups may be conducted by a lay person with the same life situation or by someone interested […]
Continue ReadingA catastrophic injury does not only affect the injured individual, it also affects the family and can change the family dynamics. Family dynamics consists of the role and responsibilities of each family member. A few examples of this are: Who takes out the garbage? Who picks up a child from soccer practice? Who pays the […]
Continue ReadingProper and timely post-acute rehabilitation and care that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services. As we have discussed, the term “Golden […]
Continue ReadingThe term “Golden Hour” is sometimes called the “Golden Time.” It refers to a period of time lasting for about one hour following a traumatic injury. There is also a term, the “Golden Period” which some literature distinguishes from the Golden Hour and the Golden Time. The Golden Period will be briefly discussed later. The […]
Continue ReadingAdaptive therapy may be defined as a set of services and strategies in occupational and physical therapy that uses assistive technology to help individuals with functional disabilities overcome environmental barriers[1]. “Assistive technology” is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive and rehabilitative devices for individuals with disabilities and also includes the process of selecting the […]
Continue Reading“Human walking is a unique activity during which the body, step by step, teeters on the edge of catastrophe.” —paleoanthropologist John Napier Ambulation is defined as the physical ability to move from one place to another. Independence is being able to live life with no or minimal assistance. NeuLife post-acute rehabilitation is the bridge to […]
Continue ReadingA traumatic brain injury (TBI) or catastrophic accident changes lives forever. An individual with a traumatic brain injury diagnosis goes from being a productive member of society to having a life of uncertainty. A TBI can have physical, cognitive, social and emotional symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate or severe. With each […]
Continue ReadingAuthor: Vanessa Bracero, Behavior Specialist Often, in working with the family of a client and the client with behavior challenges, I have observed them attempting to find a reason why certain behavior is happening. The result is usually “explanatory fiction/circular reasoning.” It does not explain why problem behaviors happen and how to respond but, instead, […]
Continue ReadingThe term “diet” is disliked by many because it suggests a deprivation of “fun” foods and a limitation to only foods that are prescribed for a specific purpose. The term “nutrition” is perceived as better because it suggests health and well being. But the terms are not mutually exclusive. Their relationship emanates from the fact […]
Continue ReadingThere are many different reactions to hearing the news that a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury. The first reaction is typically of life or death: Will he or she survive? Family members have intense feelings and reactions during the time immediately following the injury when their loved one is being cared for in […]
Continue ReadingWhen a head injury occurs, it is often not possible to immediately discern its severity or whether, in fact, it rises to the level of a traumatic brain injury. That determination might only be possible after a CT scan or MRI. Nonetheless, immediate medical care is needed. This is particularly true if the individual: • […]
Continue ReadingMany individuals who suffer a head injury initially present for acute care with what appears to be a relatively straightforward injury. It can include just about any trauma that injures the head, scalp, or, as it may later turn out, the brain. Acute care is often first rendered at a hospital or similar acute care […]
Continue ReadingNeurophysiology is a branch of physiology that focuses on the study of the central nervous system (CNS). While physiology is the broad study of the mechanisms of how cells, muscles and organs work together and how they interact, neurophysiology is much narrower. A short history lesson may be useful to put neurophysiology into perspective. The […]
Continue ReadingThe total amputation of a limb involves the surgical severing of it from the rest of the body. The partial amputation of a limb involves the surgical severing of a portion of it from that part of the body to which it is normally attached. According to recent statistics, there are more than two million […]
Continue ReadingA physiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries and disorders of nerves, muscles and bones. More specifically, a physiatrist treats those kinds of injuries that may result from, or have resulted in, temporary or permanent physical impairment. The field of medicine in which the physiatrist practices is called […]
Continue ReadingThe Traumatic Brain Injury Calculator The traumatic brain injury calculator is a useful, but generalized model that is used to assess traumatic brain injuries. It is used in acute, sub-acute and post-acute settings. The purpose of it is to help establish the prognosis for clients who have sustained head injuries. More specifically, it is a […]
Continue ReadingTraumatic Brain Injuries/Catastrophic Accidents and Behavioral Concerns There are many changes an individual goes through after experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or catastrophic accident. The areas of change include physical, emotional, cognitive and behavior changes. Ninety per cent of clients with a TBI experience some related emotional, neurobehavioral or psychiatric problem and 40% experience […]
Continue ReadingThe Changing “Game” of Rehabilitation The course of occupational and physical rehabilitation after stroke, neurologic or traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a work in progress. For the client, it is not always fun, but fun is not the goal. The goal is to attain the best possible outcome consistent with the client’s physical and psychological […]
Continue ReadingIt is the mission of NeuLife as an organization to provide a comprehensive program of neurologic rehabilitation to support and promote the improvement of the quality of life for our patients.
As with all NeuLife provisions and specialized services, clients and designated family members and/or legal guardians participate in the referral, assessment and admission process. All services provided and those offered to our clients are arranged and coordinated by our care coordinators and are all-inclusive in a comprehensive per diem specific to each client.
