HOW TO FIND HELP FOR BRAIN-IMPAIRED ADULTS
Brain impairment can strike anyone of any economic level, race or lifestyle. It is caused by significant destruction of brain tissue, with a resultant loss of brain functioning. Some of the conditions that lead to such a loss include traumatic head injury, AIDS dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and brain tumors.
While senior citizens are fast becoming the largest group requiring long-term care due to brain impairment, it is estimated that one-third of the injuries sustained in ground warfare with Iraq will be brain-related. For someone caring for a brain-impaired loved one, life may seem a lonely struggle.
California was the first state in the nation to pass legislation establishing and funding a system of regional resource centers to provide programs and services for brain-impaired adults and their families. Questions concerning everything from care-giving to finances can be addressed by consultants available to help families identify both their needs and the needs of the brain-impaired adult receiving care.
“When a care-giver is faced with the trauma of setting up long-term care for an adult child or parent,” said Joyce Bryan, director of the Orange Caregiver Resource Center, “our organization will sit down with a family and determine the needs of both the care-giver and the patient. The key to good care-giving is to know where to turn for help.”
SEEKING ADVICE
For families caring for the brain-impaired, tough questions--including those about in-home versus institutional care, finances, care-giving and making plans--must be asked early in order to best explore all the options available. Family consultants can assess needs and recommend services in the following areas:
Legal and Financial Consultation
Meetings with attorneys and social workers familiarize care-givers with options regarding the specialized legal area of dependent adult children. Concerns addressed include estate and financial planning, the durable power of attorney for health care, living trusts, conservatorships and qualifying for public assistance such as Medi-Cal and disability insurance.
Training and Conferences for Families
Care-givers receive special instruction in areas of diagnosis, treatment, physical therapy, stress reduction, research and behavioral management. Classes and seminars also link care-givers into networking systems and support groups.
Respite Care
Caring for the brain-impaired is often a 24-hour responsibility and an intensely tiring and stressful ordeal. Care-givers need and deserve time to themselves to revitalize without feeling guilty. Short-term care varies according to the needs of the patient, but among the options are certified nurses aides, home-care workers and adult day-care centers.
Case Managers
For senior citizens who are older than 65, qualify for Medi-Cal and are eligible for a nursing home, case managers will determine the family needs now and in the future. Not only will these specialists draw up a plan and train family members to care for an adult, but they will purchase special items that the patient may need. The goal of this plan is to reduce the number of senior citizens in nursing homes.
WHERE TO START
Orange Caregiver Resource Center
St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center
111 W. Bastanchury Road, Suite 1J
Fullerton, 92635
(714) 680-0122 or (800) 543-8312
This private, nonprofit organization offers family consulting services, support- group information and referrals to care-givers of brain-impaired adults. Senior Citizen’s Information and Referral of Orange County
(714) 567-7500 (main office)
(714) 220-0366 (west county)
(714) 768-5615 (south county)
An extensive networking and support system for senior citizens’ health care, this organization also functions as a special-interest group. It is designed to link spouses, widows, adult children and seniors with government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout the county and nation. It provides follow-up calls to check on patients’ status. MAJOR PROBLEM/NEED OF CAREGIVER Emotional support: 15% direct care of patient: 11% Legal information: 7% Other: 15% General information and orientation on brain damage: 31% Respite care: 21% Source: Orange Caregivers Resource Center Survey, April 1, 1990 through June 30 1990.