GETTING BACK ON TRACK
Short-term Rehabilitation in the Community
Mr F, in his early thirties, sustained a head injury and multiple orthopaedic injuries in an RTA. At the time, he was a cable engineer, living away from home. He received no initial rehabilitation and his mother became main carer.
Four years post-injury, he was living with his sister and was dependent upon his mother who dealt with his finances, ensured meals were provided (by relatives), and prompted his friends to visit.
He had made a good physical recovery but had residual cognitive and emotional difficulties. These included:
• Mild memory impairment
• Impatience
• Irritability and being argumentative
• Low mood
• Anxiety about using public transport, making telephone calls, and meeting new people
He had an inability to plan activities and follow tasks through to completion, but did have some insight, leading to worry about his future prospects.
We assessed him and set these goals:
• Reduce client’s dependence on mother/sister
• Increasing confidence/ability to perform ADLs
• Increase social/other activities
• Investigate job possibilities.
• Reduce anxiety and improve anger control.
After 9 months of input (intensive at first, then monitoring), he had progressed on several fronts:
o He took more control of his own affairs, and relied less on mother/sister.
o Anxiety was greatly reduced
o He learned to control his anger so that he did not have problems in public.
o He took a course at college
o He increased his social activities, – gym, playing/watching football, doing a college course.
o He started driving lessons and did a period of work shadowing.
Overall, his confidence and mood improved greatly, and he was more optimistic about his future job prospects and overall life expectations. Mr F’s case has now been passed to the local Disability Employment Agency.