Services You May Need

Whether your loved one or friend needs rehabilitation or other support services will depend on whether the brain injury is mild, moderate or severe and whether it has resulted in physical, communication, thinking, emotional or other disabilities.

What kind of help does he/she need and who will provide it?

Severe brain injuries

Individuals with a severe brain injury generally require hospital care in the earliest stages of their recovery and adaptation process. Once the individual is medically stable, he/she will likely need rehabilitation to adapt to or relearn lost skills. Depending on the extent of the brain injury, rehabilitation can take weeks, months or even years. Survivors of a severe brain injury may need lifelong support to manage the growing number of issues that arise as they move back into the world.

Mild or moderate brain injuries

Many mild or moderate brain injuries don’t require hospitalization. In fact, the effects of a mild or moderate brain injury may not be noticed for some time after the incident. These injuries are often termed “invisible” because they affect the thinking, emotional and social capabilities of our brain without any other external signs of change or injury being evident. But they can be just as devastating as severe brain injuries and require the attention of professionals specifically trained in this type of brain injury.