When your loved one experiences a brain injury, it’s natural to want to get them help quickly. But before you decide on a TBI clinic, you need to ask some important questions. Not all acute brain injury rehabilitation is the same.
After all, the decision will make all the difference in your loved one’s recovery. In fact, it’s one of the most important decisions that loved ones make for their survivor’s future.
Here at Moody Neurorehabilitation, we put together this list of 5 crucial questions anyone should ask when choosing a brain injury treatment clinic. This list can help survivors and their families find brain injury rehab in Houston, or outside of the Houston area.
5 Crucial Questions For Choosing An Acute Brain Injury Rehabilitation Clinic
After answering these 5 questions, you will be ready to choose the best acute brain injury rehabilitation center for your survivor.
1. What Is Their Mission?
The goal of any acute brain injury rehabilitation center should be to achieve the best possible outcome for patients and their families. So, their mission should focus on these:
- Personalized care
- Re-entering the community
- Maximizing quality of life
2. What Types Of Brain Injuries Are Treated?
Next, check to see if the TBI clinic treats injuries similar to the one you’re seeking treatment for. And, ask about the typical age of their patients. This is normally on the admissions page of their website.
Then, make a list of the acute brain injury rehabilitation centers that match your survivor’s injury type and age.
3. Do They Have Qualified Staff?
Importantly, check the qualifications of the TBI clinic staff. A good team is key to your survivor’s recovery. Check if they have the following on staff:
- A board certified physician
- A neuropsychologist
- Physical, occupational, speech, and vocational therapists
- Nursing staff, available daily
4. What Programs And Services Are Offered?
There are a variety of different types of programs for acute brain injury rehabilitation, including:
- Residential
- Outpatient
- Long-term supported living
- Respite care
Your injured loved-one might need these different programs at different points in their recovery. So, it’s helpful to have a TBI clinic that offers each of the above programs.
In addition, every TBI clinic you consider should offer the following services:
- Clinical assessments that evaluate your survivor’s physical, cognitive, communicative, emotional, behavioral, and social impairments
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Vocational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Counseling services
- Recreational therapy
Some acute brain injury rehabilitation centers also offer additional services that set them apart from others, such as:
- Aquatic therapy
- Social skills groups
- Patient and family education
Moody offers these services at our Galveston and Lubbock locations for brain injury rehab.
5. What Is The Facility Like?
After making a list of potential matches, the next step is to take a tour of the facility.
It may be tempting to just choose a facility that is closest to your home. But, it’s better for patient recovery to choose based on what a facility offers.
While on your tour, note how clean the space is, the professionalism of the staff, and how content the patients and families seem. Also ask about any religious or cultural accommodations that your survivor needs, such as:
- Menu selections
- Access to places of worship
- Use of a translator
Finally, see how updated and innovative the facility is. For example, ask about any use of robotics, computer-based simulation, or ongoing research. Picking a facility with updated tech can help maximize your survivor’s therapeutic gains.