Brain Injury Support Group

Recognizing that recovery must be achieved not only in the physical and psychological but also on an emotional level, Brooks Rehabilitation offers a variety of support groups to assist patients in regaining, as fully as possible, their ability to lead successful lives.

The following support groups provide a unique opportunity for the patient to interact and form personal connections with people facing similar challenges. Not only can our patients be inspired by others, but they themselves are in a position to be inspiring.

Inpatient Brain Injury Group (Understanding Brain Injury)

Brain Injury Clubhouse Support Group

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Patients come to the inpatient hospital program usually immediately following their treatment in an acute care or trauma hospital. The hospital setting offers daily medical and nursing care and daily intensive therapy that is aimed at getting patients back home. Following the inpatient stay, most patients go home with ongoing services from Brooks Home Health, Brooks Outpatient services, Brooks Neurorehabilitation Day Treatment or a combination of these outpatient services.

Learn more about Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Brooks Homecare Advantatge

Most patients receive Brooks Home Health services following a stay at the Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital. Brooks Home Care Advantage has clinically advanced therapists and nurses to provide home health services for all levels of brain injury patients. Following home health services, the patient may then begin receiving care at the Brooks Outpatient Network, Brooks Brain Injury day treatment, Brooks Brain Injury medicine or can transition to the Brooks Clubhouse.

Learn more about Brooks Homecare Advantage

Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Network

Most patients receive outpatient services following a stay at the Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital or following Home Health. Following outpatient services, the patient may then transition to receive services from Brooks Brain Injury medicine, participate in a support group or can transition to the Brooks Clubhouse.

Learn more about Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Network

Brooks Rehabilitation Brain Injury Day Treatment

Brooks Rehabilitation offers a comprehensive program that includes individual and groups based treatments to improve cognitive, physical, and emotional health after an injury to the brain. Treatment is focused on improving functional abilities and re-integration to the community and work. Many patients are admitted to the program after their discharge from the inpatient brain injury program. After completion of the Day Treatment program, patients may require some individual therapies or opt to participate in the Brooks Clubhouse.

Learn more about Brooks Rehabilitation Brain Injury Day Treatment

Brooks Rehabilitation Neuro Recovery Center

The Brooks Neuro Recovery Center is appropriate for patients following a stay at the Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, after outpatient rehabilitation, or for those in the community. Members of the Recovery Center will receive an all-encompassing evaluation to determine which programs will maximize the potential for neuroplasticity. The program will be designed specifically for you or your loved ones' needs.

Learn more about Brooks Rehabilitation Neuro Recovery Center

Brooks Rehabilitation Medical Group

Specially trained physiatrists are available during any stage of recovery to help Brooks Rehabilitation patients.

Learn more about Brooks Brain Injury Medicine

Research

The Brooks Clinical Research Center offers the opportunity to participate in a variety of rehabilitation research trials. Individuals who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, low back pain or swallowing problems may be eligible. Find out how you or a family member can benefit from a trial.

Click here for more information about Brooks' Research

Community Programs

Brooks Clubhouse - Following rehabilitation, Brooks Rehabilitation Clubhouse Membership is available to any adult, age 16 or older, who would benefit from activities to enhance social, physical, cognitive and vocational outcomes following an acquired brain injury. These includes individuals with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxia, or any other dysfunction of the central nervous system.

Brain Injury Wellness- provides patients with customized exercise programs and nutrition education to support the goal of restoring strength, endurance and agility after a brain injury.

Support Groups - Support Groups for Brain Injury patients and caregivers are available at any stage of recovery.

Driver Rehabilitation - Our driver rehabilitation program begins with a comprehensive evaluation during which we assess your strength, range of motion, coordination, vision and other skills that are essential to safe driving. Driver Rehabilitation typically occurs following a stay in the rehabilitation hospital and home health.

Wheelchair Clinic - Brooks can help you choose a wheelchair based on ease of maneuverability, proper support and positioning, efficient propulsion and styling. Our occupational therapists are specialized in wheelchair fitting and will assist you through a series of diagnostic evaluations to pick an ideal chair. You will be measured for chair size and exposed to a variety of styles and accessories to decide what will best fulfill your wishes. Finally, you will be thoroughly trained by the therapist so that you can take full advantage of your customized wheelchair.

Resources

Brooks Rehabilitation is committed to providing reputable resources for patients and family members of someone who has experienced a brain injury.  A successful recovery is important to us.

Advocacy

Brain Injury Association of Florida
The Association of Florida provides online resources including TBI fact sheets, local programs and services, event and activity listings, and more.

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
The NARIC collects more than 75,000 resources, including organizations, agencies, internet resources, reports, and research projects.

A lirida advisory and advocacy resources for persons with disabilities.

Caregivers Training

Brain Injury Association of Florida
The Association of Florida provides online resources including TBI fact sheets, local programs and services, event and activity listings, and more.

Caregiver Involvement in Post-Stroke Care
Watch for expert testimonials about caregiver involvement in post-stroke care. Sponsored by the National Stroke Association. (10 minutes)

This is for anyone who is caring for a loved one who is ill or disabled. It’s a great place to find assistance, answers, new ideas and helpful advice--for you and your loved one.

Additional Resources

Brain Injury Family Guide - Created by the Brain Injury Association of Florida, this guide contains everything from definitions, to understanding how a traumatic brain injury is different from other brain injuries to understanding what the family can do to help.

Rancho Los Amigos - The Rancho Los Amigos Scale, often referred to as the Rancho Scale, is used to determine the level of cognitive functioning of the patient with a traumatic brain injury. Levels range from 1 -which is no response and is in need of total assistance, to 10 -which is for someone who appears purposeful, appropriate and modified independent.

Glasgow Coma Scale - is a neurological scale that aims to give a reliable, objective way of recording the conscious state of a person for initial as well as subsequent assessment. A patient is assessed against the criteria of the scale, and the resulting points give a patient score between 3 (indicating deep unconsciousness) and either 14 (original scale) or 15 (the more widely used modified or revised scale).