Living with Brain Injury: A Guide for Families and Caregivers

Description

182 pages
Contains Bibliography, Index
$40.00
ISBN 0-8020-4265-1
DDC 362.1'97481

Year

1998

Contributor

Edited by Sonia Acorn and Penny Offer
Reviewed by Ian W. Toal

Ian W. Toal is a registered nurse in Barrie, Ontario.

Review

There are many types of brain injuries (some are traumatic, others
degenerative), but they all have devastating effects on people’s
lives. This book focuses on the traumatic brain injury and is intended
to help survivors, families, and caregivers deal with the acute and
long-term effects of brain damage.

A brief section introduces the different types of brain injuries,
explains why injury to the brain can result in physical and psychiatric
changes, and describes the acute stage of the brain injury. The bulk of
the book deals with the sequelae of the acute injury—rehabilitation
and life-long adjustment to permanent changes. This emphasis is
appropriate given that rehabilitation poses the greatest challenge to
people affected by brain injury.

Written by professionals with experience treating brain injuries, the
book addresses topics that are relevant to everyday life. In addition to
survivor accounts, there are chapters on how brain injuries affect
families and couples, expected psychiatric changes and recreation
issues. A glossary and a list of resources (but unfortunately no index)
are provided.

While this very readable and informative book will be most useful to
its target audience of those affected by traumatic brain injuries, many
of the issues it discusses have relevance for people suffering
degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The book
would also be a good resource for professionals working in the field.

Citation

“Living with Brain Injury: A Guide for Families and Caregivers,” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, accessed November 22, 2024, https://cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/3528.