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Family Support Needs Following Acquired Brain Injury Across Metropolitan and Regional/Remote South Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2015

Michelle Bellon ,
Ruth Crocker ,
Jennifer Farnden ,
Jaime Gardner ,
Sandi Sando  and
Chris Peterson
Michelle Bellon*
Affiliation:
Disability and Community Inclusion, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
Ruth Crocker
Affiliation:
Disability and Community Inclusion, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
Jennifer Farnden
Affiliation:
Families4Families Inc, Adelaide, South Australia
Jaime Gardner
Affiliation:
Community Re-entry Program, Adelaide, South Australia
Sandi Sando
Affiliation:
Disability and Community Inclusion, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
Chris Peterson
Affiliation:
School of Social Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Michelle Bellon, Disability and Community Inclusion, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001South Australia. Phone: +61 8 8201 3645. E-mail: Michelle.Bellon@flinders.edu.au
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Abstract

Aims: To identify and compare, family support needs following an acquired brain injury (ABI) in metropolitan and regional/remote areas in order to inform the development of a state-wide family peer support network.

Design: Mixed methods design including postal survey and focus groups.

Results: The survey was completed by 194 family members who provide support to an adult with ABI. Focus groups included 43 participants (29 family members, 14 people with ABI). Thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses and focus group transcripts revealed 15 areas of needed support. Although all themes were identified by both geographic groups, regional/remote participants commented more frequently on the need for coordinated, accessible and tailored services. A strong focus was placed on the need for counselling and emotional support, as well as family support groups from both major city and regional/remote participants. Each support was reviewed to identify those which could be augmented through peer-supports, including: emotional support; family support groups; ABI information; family social activities; help to navigate the system; early supports (within the first year of ABI); and self-advocacy training.

Conclusions: Results highlight a need for ongoing supports for the entire family following ABI in both metropolitan and regional/remote regions of SA (South Australia). Support themes can inform the development of family-centred services, including the role of peer-support networks.

Keywords

Familycaregiveracquired brain injurysupport systemservice deliveryregional and remote
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , September 2015 , pp. 131 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2015 

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