Families & Friends
Family members and friends play an important role in the care and rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Most people who have sustained a TBI recover significantly in the first few months following injury. In fact, over 85% of people with a concussion/mild TBI (mTBI) recover completely within weeks to months with minimal intervention. Those with moderate, severe, or penetrating injury are also expected to make some improvement although the recovery process in these cases may take longer and be more unpredictable. There are many individuals who have suffered more severe injuries that have only mild symptoms and return to school or work with minimal difficulty. The social support given by friends and family play an important role in the recovery of those with TBI.
TBI may cause physical, cognitive, and behavioral changes that can be difficult to adapt to for both the individual and family members. Most often, these changes are temporary but in some cases recovery becomes a lifelong process of adjustments and accommodations for the injured person and the family as they seek to establish new solutions to the challenges of daily life. Even concussions/mTBIs may result in changes that require such adjustments. Yet people with TBI can lead joyful and meaningful lives with the aid of friends and loved ones who can provide ongoing support and encouragement. Research has found a direct relationship between a family’s ability to adapt and cope with trauma and the patient’s success with rehabilitation and reintegration.
Milder symptoms may only require family members to adapt to a few changes in their loved ones which may have to do with memory, focus, communication or subtle personality traits that may only be noticeable to those closest to them. More severe symptoms may require family members to take on the role of caregiver, or share that responsibility with others temporarily or on a continual basis. As caregivers, family members and friends may perform a wide variety of tasks to assist an individual with TBI such as balancing a checkbook, grocery shopping, assisting with medical appointments, giving medications, or helping with eating, bathing or dressing. Many family members and friends do not consider such assistance “caregiving” because they are just doing what comes naturally to them: taking care of someone they love.
This section is devoted to families and friends, who play a critical role in supporting the health and well being of individuals with TBI recognizing the emotional, physical and financial toll that is so often associated with caregiving.
WHO MAY BE REFERRED TO THE DEFENSE AND VETERANS BRAIN INJURY CENTER (DVBIC)?
Any service member or veteran with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) who is covered by TRICARE or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits may be referred to DVBIC.
WHO MAY REFER SOMEONE WITH TBI TO DVBIC?
We accept self-referrals as well as referrals from family members, primary care physicians, and other healthcare providers.
HOW CAN YOU REFER A PATIENT TO DVBIC?
To begin the referral process, use our Interactive Map to call the DVBIC regional office nearest to you, or you can use our Contact Us form and headquarters will direct you to the appropriate staff member.
DVBIC INFORMATION & REFERRAL (24/7):
Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE)
Outreach Call Center
1.866.966.1020
HOW CAN WE HELP?
DVBIC clinical care can address the needs of service members and veterans who sustain injuries through events that often affect the civilian population (motor vehicle crashes, falls, etc.) as well as incidents usually more unique to a military setting (blast/explosion, penetrating shrapnel, paratrooper injuries).
TBI may result in a broad range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social challenges. DVBIC is committed to providing excellence in care that addresses the wide ranging needs of patients and their families. We work to provide services and support to help the individual with TBI return to duty, work and community. Individualized evidence-based treatment and expert case management and care coordination serve to maximize function and decrease TBI-related disability.