What Do Families Need?

Brain injuries affect families too. When considering what to do for a family, think about these needs:

• Safety
  Families need assurance that their loved one will be safe, have adequate supervision, and receive quality care. They need to be able to envision a future with a mix of adjusted expectation and hope.
  
• Control
  Families desperately want and need some control over the many variables surrounding their situation. They need to understand their role, the choices they have, and the resources available to them.
  
• Money
  The brutal reality is that families are financially impacted by brain injury. There are questions about what insurance will cover and for how long, what to do about lost income, and how to best utilize limited personal resources.
  
• Education and Understanding
  Families need to know that the injury is permanent, that change is possible, and that they are not alone. Teams should provide accurate and honest information about expected outcome and long-term concerns.
  
• Empowerment
  Families need to feel empowered as a real part of the team. Simply, this means asking family members to do real things, exchanging information, and encouraging advocacy.