With great pleasure and pride, we would like to inform you that NeuLife Rehab partnered with the Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF) and hosted Camp TBI on October 27, 2018. Over sixty traumatic brain injury survivors and caregivers attended.
As one of the largest residential post-acute rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast with specialized rehabilitation programs for a wide range of catastrophic injuries, we want to be actively involved in our community, and in the lives of the TBI survivors, their caregivers, and family members.
This October’s Camp TBI covered a wide range of activities. TBI survivors participated in Pumpkin Painting, Cooking Classes, Family Feud, along with outside events. The caregivers enjoyed presentations from Djenaba Burns, BIAF President, and CEO and Janet Ott, NeuLife Administrator, Michael Samogala, Director of Education and Elmer Perez, Mental Health Counselor on Post-Acute Rehab Transitions. The caregivers were then pampered with massages and manicures. The day ended with a fun karaoke party which was enjoyed by all of the participants.
Camp TBI is an event designed to help all members of the brain injury community experience the feeling of togetherness by connecting the TBI family to a lifetime of optimism and opportunity.
During this unparalleled occasion, TBI experts and specialists make every effort to deliver personalized methods of assisting every survivor in reaching their highest level of recovery. It also provides an opportunity for each caregiver to recharge and stay motivated in offering the best possible care for their loved one.
You can learn more about Camp TBI by visiting the event’s YouTube channel or by reading information about this year’s edition on Camp TBI’s website.
NeuLife Rehabilitation is a residential post-acute brain injury facility, one of the largest in the Southeast, specializing in catastrophic rehabilitation.
Our programs are customized to meet the individual needs of each patient, and care plans are structured to promote the highest level of functional independence and successful community re-integration. Through the skills and experience of our highly trained team of clinical experts, we are able to treat a wide range of diagnoses and injuries at our brain injury center.
Watch this video to find out more about what we do.
If you have any more questions concerning catastrophic rehabilitation or any other issue regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI), call us to make an appointment today. You can also schedule a tour to visit our brain injury facility.
Click on individual pictures to enlarge:
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States is approximately 1.5–2 million cases per year, and it is the foremost cause of injury and neurological disability among children, young adults and seniors. Despite the frequency with which it occurs, the general public maintains misconceptions about traumatic brain injuries.
Because of the prolonged (and at times incomplete) recovery process, TBI patients may go back to their roles in their respective communities while still dealing with their particular deficits, and while undergoing the rehabilitation process. Due to existing misconceptions about TBI, they are often expected to perform their activities at the same level as pre-injury. When this occurs, it can often lead to frustration and anger which can, in turn, impede the healing process.
A common misconception is that people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury no longer have the same emotional needs. While their quality of life and cognitive and physical functions may differ, people with have suffered a brain injury have the same emotional needs as each one of us: they want to feel loved, useful, needed, to be treated with respect, to have personal space, and to retain control over their lives.
Many people believe that an adult with a brain injury shouldn’t be a part of the discussion concerning his or her care, treatment, or any other plans to assist in solving the individual’s challenges. It is sometimes difficult for loved ones to accept the fact that it is important for a person with a brain injury to be part of any dialogue concerning his or her treatment, care, prognosis, or rehabilitation options.
If possible, even the most trying or upsetting information should be discussed with an adult who suffers from a TBI.
According to Thomas J. Guilmette, it is not only the general public who hold misconceptions about TBI victims; even health professionals who don’t specialize in brain injuries have problems correctly assessing the length and extent of recovery, and who don’t have the knowledge about the multiplicity of deficits (mainly with respect to mental and behavioral impairments). Occasionally, patients with a TBI are even misdiagnosed as learning disabled or mentally ill.
That is why it is so important to seek professional medical help at a brain injury center or brain injury clinic, where knowledge and awareness of this condition are of the highest possible level.
Many people believe that catastrophic rehabilitation (rehabilitation after TBI) will take up to two years to complete and that the recovery will be steady -- this is another misconception.
Brain injury rehabilitation is a very complex process, ideally performed at a brain injury center, where patients respond to treatment individually. No two patients are the same; whenever in doubt, ask your physician or medical professional at your brain injury clinic about therapy progress and prognosis.
A person with a traumatic brain injury may be able to do something effortlessly one day, then find the same thing problematic the next day. Even though much of the recovery process does indeed occur during the first two years, it is not necessarily complete by the end of two years -- the catastrophic rehabilitation process can continue throughout a lifetime.
For many TBI patients (and their families) getting to a point where everything is “back to normal” is the Holy Grail. Every day, they do everything in their power to come one step closer towards this goal.
Opening oneself to the possibility that the “new normal” doesn’t need to be bad may create the space needed for new dynamics and relationships in the family to blossom. No one is denying that dealing with a TBI is a challenging time for everyone, but clinging to past behaviors, traits, abilities, and ambitions has the potential to slow down recovery.
The misconceptions listed above make it difficult for a person affected by TBI, and his or her loved ones, to regain both health and position in society. In such a trying time, what is most needed is understanding, knowledge, awareness, and empathy.
The truth is that no one can do this alone. Every patient deserves support from a great team of medical professionals to assist them throughout the process of brain injury rehabilitation. NeuLife Rehabilitation offers just that support.
NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the largest residential post-acute rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast, with specialized rehabilitation programs for a wide range of catastrophic injuries.
Our programs are customized to meet the individual needs of each patient, and care plans are structured to promote the highest level of functional independence and successful community reintegration. Through the skills and experience of our highly trained team of clinical experts, we are able to treat a wide range of diagnoses and injuries at our brain injury center.
If you have any more questions concerning catastrophic rehabilitation or any other issue regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI), call us to make an appointment today. You can also schedule a tour to visit our brain injury clinic.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
Read Part 1 of the article about the causes of non-traumatic brain injuries, which we target at NeuLife’s brain injury facility. Today’s article includes several other sources of non-traumatic (acquired) brain injury.
Bleeding inside the brain is known as a brain hemorrhage. It's caused by an artery in the brain bursting and causing localized bleeding in the surrounding tissues. When blood collects into a mass, a hematoma, it puts pressure on brain tissue, making brain cells die. There are several factors that may cause bleeding: head trauma, aneurysm, high blood pressure, and tumors.
The bleeding may range from minor to life-threatening, and may temporarily impede brain function. When the bleeding spreads to other areas of the brain and deprives the brain of oxygen, the damage may be permanent.
A reduced supply of oxygen to the brain is called hypoxia, while total deprivation is anoxia. Anoxia is by definition more dangerous, but both can result in severe brain damage. Depending on the time of oxygen deprivation, the damage can be minor (up to one minute of deprivation) or severe (around four minutes). At the 4-6 minute mark, oxygen deprivation becomes fatal.
The brain can be deprived of oxygen as a result of the following actions:
Every brain surgery is a risk of greater complications, such as a hemorrhage, stroke, or damage to surrounding brain tissue, which can be discovered by doctors during the surgery or after. In some cases, though, the risk of not performing surgery is greater than the risk associated with the surgery, so doctors and patients pursue it anyway. The decision, however, needs to be mutual and the patient should be acquainted with all the risks.
NeuLife’s brain injury facility often admits patients with post-surgical conditions, as conditions in the clinic are designed specifically to ease problems with rehabilitation and speed up recovery as much as possible.
Dementia is a loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily life, lasting for a prolonged time, but without losing consciousness. Most forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's, are caused by deterioration of brain tissue. Symptoms of dementia can include problems with memory, thinking, and language, along with impairments to social skills and some behavioral symptoms. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia.
Currently there are no medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease or other types of elderly dementia. Medications may improve symptoms, but none can halt or reverse progressive damage to the brain. Therefore, it is crucial that patients with dementia are placed in a safe environment, which often is a brain injury facility.
The above concerns are not the only potential types of acquired brain injury (non-traumatic). Some other common sources of these injuries include:
NeuLife is a Residential Post-Acute Rehab facility specializing in brain injury rehabilitation. Its program includes physical medicine and rehabilitation medical management, psychiatric and neuropsychological services, physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapies, behavioral, dietary and vocational counseling, and more. Beautifully situated on 43 acres in Mount Dora, Florida, its inpatient rehab facility comprises over 60,000 square feet and contains 54 private rooms or suites. If you would like more information about NeuLife Rehabilitation Services, please contact us.
There are two types of brain injuries: traumatic, when an external object causes brain tissue damage, and non-traumatic, also called acquired brain injury, the result of change, damage or infection internal to the body.
There are many different causes of non-traumatic brain injuries, some of which are more common than others. They include infections, lack of oxygen, tumors and bleeding in the brain, which we describe in detail below
NeuLife’s brain injury rehabilitation program provides care for patients with traumatic and non-traumatic injuries.
Read about traumatic brain injury rehab in this article.
Brain infections can occur as a result of viruses or bacteria. Staph, for example, spreads with the blood to the brain, damaging brain tissue. One of the most common brain infections, meningitis, can be caused by a virus or bacteria. More common to contract in childhood years, it causes strong headaches, fever, sleepiness, and nausea, among other symptoms. It should be treated immediately after diagnosis, as the complications may be severe.
A related condition, encephalitis, is an inflammation of the brain, caused by different types of viruses and characterized by brain swelling. The swelling itself can impede brain function until it goes down. It may also damage surrounding brain tissue, or result in other problems, such as a loss of oxygen to the brain or fluid in the brain. Brain swelling is often the product of an infection, but can also be due to an untreated autoimmune disorder, cancer, and even some allergic reactions.
Not all brain tumors are cancerous, but even benign tumors can cause brain damage. When a brain tumor pushes on some brain area or deprives it of oxygen, the functionality of that area becomes limited. Removing the tumor may fix the problem, but brain surgery is always a great risk. If the tumor does not show signs of growing or changing, your doctor might suggest you leave it in place and avoid the risks of removal.
When a tumor is due to cancer, your doctor might remove it, recommend chemotherapy or radiation, or offer some combination of these treatments.
A stroke is a cardiovascular event during which the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Without oxygen, the brain cells start to die. Stroke needs immediate response and treatment. The main reason for it is poor cardiovascular health, though anyone—including children—can suffer from a stroke. NeuLife’s brain injury rehab program specializes in taking care of patients who have suffered a stroke.
A related occurrence, called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), is sometimes called a mini-stroke. These episodes, which sometimes occur multiple times, produce a temporary blockage that quickly resolves. If you have suffered a TIA, you are at risk of a stroke. Some people also experience minor brain damage as a result of TIA.
Locked-in syndrome is often caused by a stroke, and results in brain damage so severe that the person loses his ability to speak or move, and may be able to only move their eyes. The person is fully conscious and realizes the situation; however, they are without the ability to interact, literally locked into his or her brain.
NeuLife is a Residential Post-Acute Rehab facility specializing in brain injury rehabilitation. Its program includes physical medicine and rehabilitation medical management, psychiatric and neuropsychological services, physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapies, behavioral, dietary and vocational counseling, and more. Beautifully situated on 43 acres in Mount Dora, Florida, its inpatient rehab facility comprises over 60,000 square feet and contains 54 private rooms or suites. If you would like more information about NeuLife Rehabilitation Services, please contact us.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
A brain injury is any injury to the brain that affects a person physically, emotionally or behaviorally. Brain injuries can happen at birth or may arise later from trauma or an illness. Depending on the cause, a brain injury is called either traumatic or non-traumatic.
Traumatic brain injuries do not always include an open head wound or skull fracture. Loss of consciousness may not occur, either, but the one thing that all traumatic brain injuries have in common is contact. These are the most common causes of a traumatic brain injury (TBI):
A non-traumatic brain injury may also be called an acquired brain injury (ABI). This type of brain injury is the result of an illness or condition within the body, not of a blow to the head. These are the most common causes of a non-traumatic brain injury:
According to NeuLife brain injury rehabilitation center, common symptoms of traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
NeuLife brain injury rehabilitation center specialists report that most of the clients they treat were injured in motor-vehicle accidents. Seat belts reduce serious injuries and deaths from crashes by about 50%.
Alcohol and drugs, including prescription medications, can impair a person’s ability to drive. Alcohol-impaired drivers are involved in about one in three crash deaths, resulting in nearly 11,000 deaths annually.
Cell phones are the No. 1 source of driver distraction. Using a mobile device while driving is similar to having a blood alcohol level at the legal limit of 0.08, according to research from the University of Utah. Statistics show that drivers who talk on cell phones or text while driving are four times as likely to get into a car crash serious enough to injure themselves.
The chances of falling can be reduced in older adults by doing the following:
Head injuries can be prevented in children by:
NeuLife is a Residential Post-Acute Rehab facility specializing in brain injury rehabilitation. Its program includes physical medicine and rehabilitation medical management, psychiatric and neuropsychological services, physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapies, behavioral, dietary and vocational counseling, and more. Beautifully situated on 43 acres in Mount Dora, Florida, its inpatient rehab facility comprises over 60,000 square feet and contains 54 private rooms or suites. If you would like more information about NeuLife Rehabilitation Services, please contact us.
Brain Injury Clinic News: Scientists are now working on blast/impact simulations to study their effect on the brain. They work on developing a special computer that will enable researchers to better understand how a blast on the battlefield can impact soldiers’ brains and lead to traumatic brain injury.
According to ScienceDaily: “Researchers at Sandia have studied the mechanisms behind traumatic brain injury for about a decade. Their traumatic injury modeling and simulation project began with a head-and-neck representation, and now they've created a high-fidelity, digital model of a man from the waist up to study the minute mechanisms behind trauma.”1
The study will help develop an improved model of body armor that can decrease the trauma from the blast and prevent traumatic brain injuries. To read the full article on the research being carried out by Sandia National Laboratories, click here.
NeuLife Rehabilitation is a Preferred Provider with the Veterans Choice Program. We are honored to provide our Veterans and Military Service Members with specialized post-acute rehabilitation for brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic conditions as well as treatment for PTSD. The services we offer in our Brain Injury Clinic include cognitive and behavioral therapies, the most effective type of counseling for PTSD. Through such therapies, we are able to reduce PTSD symptoms and implement coping mechanisms.
NeuLife is a Residential Post-Acute Rehab facility specializing in catastrophic rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and other complex injuries. Its Program includes physical medicine and rehabilitation medical management, psychiatric and neuropsychological services, physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapies, behavioral, dietary and vocational counseling and more. Beautifully situated on 43 acres in Mount Dora, Florida, its inpatient rehab facility comprises over 60,000 square feet and contains 54 private rooms or suites. If you would like more information about NeuLife Rehabilitation Services, please contact us.
This article was written on behalf of the practice by RedCastle Services. RedCastle specializes in Online Marketing for Doctors, including Medical SEO, SEO for doctors, and Medical Website Design. Contact RedCastle Services today to find out how we can help your practice increase its number of online patient referrals.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that Karen Macaluso, a Certified Case Manager and Catastrophic Case Manager, has joined our team. Karen is our Director of Admissions Business Development & Nurse Case Manager. She is available to our patients at the our NeuLife Rehab facility located in Mount Dora.
Karen Macaluso
Quick facts about Karen:
Education
NeuLife Rehab is a modern, patient-friendly facility located in a beautiful area of Mount Dora, FL. Features of our facility include:
If you’d like to find out more about brain injury rehab, neuro rehab or post acute rehab, our professional staff or facility, we encourage you to visit our website or call us at 800-626-3876 - we are here to answer any of your questions. We are looking forward to seeing you!
‘Catastrophic injury’ is a widely used term but it’s not always used correctly. Many times we hear about ‘catastrophic injuries’ in various contexts - in the news, ER rooms, during sports events broadcasts, etc. One may wonder - when is the injury considered ‘catastrophic’? Unfortunately, there isn’t just one correct answer, as the universally accepted legal definition of a catastrophic injury doesn’t exist. There is however a commonly used specification that describes the injury as a severe injury to the spine, spinal cord, or brain, and may also include skull or spinal fractures, loss of a limb and severe burn injuries that leads to a permanent or long-term severe functional disability or disfigurement. Such injuries often require post-acute rehab and involve a lifetime of medical treatment, multiple surgical procedures and an extensive and difficult recovery process.
It can be caused by many factors, mainly accidents that cause physical trauma, such as an automobile accident. However, as mentioned in our previous article, this type of injury can also be caused during activities that we don’t normally associate with a risk of getting seriously injured, such as a football match or a cheerleading event.
Brain trauma - catastrophic injuries of the head may cause life-long effects, such as cognitive dysfunction, speech problems, limited mobility, etc.
Spinal cord injury - is commonly associated with full or partial paralysis, respiratory and circulatory problems, exaggerated reflexes and spasms, chronic pain, loss of bowel and bladder control.
Severe burns - infections, limited mobility, chronic pain
Amputations - limited mobility
Organ damage - can cause many different conditions, including those that are life-threatening
Some of the most common sources of catastrophic injuries are:
In some cases, catastrophic injuries could be prevented. Often it is just a matter of being mindful and taking care of the necessary safety measures. Here are just a couple of suggestions on how to prevent catastrophic injuries:
However, even when you’re being extra careful, accidents do happen. When you or your loved one suffers from a catastrophic injury, it is a physically and emotionally challenging experience. During this difficult time, you need the best possible quality of care as well as the highest-standard professional assistance. NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the largest residential post acute rehab programs specializing in rehabilitation for a wide range of catastrophic injuries. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programs and Residential Rehabilitation.
Our professional staff makes sure that you and your family are being taken care of by the best specialists in the area. We encourage you to find out more about our facility and our programs. If you have any questions at all, we are here for you - call us or make a referral using our easy to navigate and convenient online form. We are looking forward to helping you achieve your goals.
You have probably already heard about the correlation between contact sports and brain injury, but perhaps you didn’t quite realize just how strong this correlation is. A study by Dr. Joseph Maldijan from UT Southwestern showed that one season of high school football alone was enough to cause physiological changes in the brain.
In the study, two small groups of high school football players were monitored over the course of a season. Their helmets were equipped with sensors which could measure the number and level of impacts to the head. Moreover all players were given preseason brain MRI scans and cognitive testing and then received the same testing postseason. This, combined with Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging (DKI), revealed physiological and functional differences in preseason and postseason results.
“All this data is pointing to the same thing — that is that one season of football has an effect on the brain”. Said Dr. Maldijan about the study.
As a sport with one of the highest levels of contact (including contact to the head), science is showing how such sports can contribute to brain injury. Fortunately, catastrophic brain injuries are relatively rare, even in football; however, they do sometimes occur.
Unfortunately, the correlation between football and brain injuries is not a new one, which is why the NFL set up the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee in the 1990s. The Committee is focused on the neurological health of players and aims to reduce the incidence. And severity of brain (as well as neck and spine) injuries in the sport.
It is important to realize, catastrophic brain injuries are rare. But when they happen, what brain injury rehab programs are available? NeuLife Rehab is a provider of brain injury rehab programs at our brain injury facility in Florida and is experienced in providing the necessary treatment programs and care to rehabilitate patients who have suffered a brain injury. As an illustration the brain injury facility, situated on 43 rolling acres, has 54 private patient suites. Also a whole range of amenities available for brain injury patients, depending on their specific needs. Must be remembered that these include a full-service kitchen, fully equipped therapy rooms, an outdoor working garden, skills retraining laundry room, on-site equine therapy and many other amenities.
In terms of the brain injury rehab program itself. To explain it is administered by a multi-specialty staff, including physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, nurse case managers. In the same way psychologists, among others, depending on the individualized needs and circumstances on the brain injured patient.
NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the largest residential post-acute rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast with specialized residential rehabilitation programs for a wide range of catastrophic injuries. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Brain Injury Rehab Programs and Residential Rehabilitation.
Our programs are customized to meet the individual needs of each patient, especially care plans are structured to promote the highest level of functional independence and successful community re-integration. Through the skills and experience of our highly trained team of clinical experts. We are able to provide the following programs:
To point out read more about NeuLife’s brain injury rehabilitation program in Florida, or call NeuLife today at 800.626.3876.
This article was written on behalf of the practice by RedCastle Services. RedCastle specializes in Online Marketing for Doctors, including Medical SEO, SEO for doctors, and Medical Website Design. Contact RedCastle Services today to find out how we can help your practice increase its number of online patient referrals.
According to scientifically validated research, post-acute brain injury rehabilitation, one of the specialized services we offer at our brain injury facility - NeuLife Rehab, improves the quality of life of individuals who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI) and reduces lifetime medical costs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that ABI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. ABIs contribute to about 30.5% of all injury-related deaths. Those who survive an ABI can face short term effects or long-term effects that could last the rest of their lives. In the United States, approximately 5.3 million people have ABI-related disabilities that include long lasting cognitive and psychological impairments. The effects of ABI can include impaired thinking, attention or memory, movement, balance, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression). These issues not only affect brain injury survivors and their ability to work, perform household tasks, drive and engage in other activities of daily living but have profound effects on families and communities. Permanent ABI-related disability can also result in enormous financial burden including significant medical costs.
Rehabilitation is the predominant post-acute treatment for individuals with ABI. Scientific research confirms that a post-acute rehabilitation program with a multidisciplinary approach such as the program we provide at our brain injury facility - NeuLife Rehab , is more likely to be effective in the treatment of ABI patients. NeuLife’s multidisciplinary program includes, but is not limited to physiatry medical management, nursing services, psychiatry, internal medicine, physical, occupational, speech, recreational and neuropsychological/neurobehavioral therapies, community re-integration and vocational evaluation.
In an article published in the May 2015 issue of Journal of Neurotrauma called “Post-Acute Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Effects on Outcome Measures and Life Care Costs” written by Grace S. Griesbach, Lisa A. Kreber, David Harrington and Mark J. Ashley, the authors scientifically evaluated and measured both the functional effectiveness and cost effectiveness of post-acute ABI rehabilitation by comparing outcome measures and life care costs with that of patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) who underwent a similar multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. In this retrospective study of 36 former ABI and CVA rehab patients, functional effectiveness was determined through an assessment of the patient’s level of functional independence at least one (1) year post discharge, using outcome scales that evaluate level of disability as well as social, cognitive, emotional and physical problems. Cost effectiveness was determined by completion of life care plans, or lifetime cost projections by independent certified life care planners for each of the 36 patients, both prior to, and after, post-acute rehabilitation, i.e., with and without post-acute rehabilitation. Of note, the majority of the patients in the study completed a residential post-acute rehabilitation program for 5 days per week for variable lengths of stay; however, the median duration of treatment was 197 days of rehabilitation.
The data conclusively revealed that post-acute rehabilitation, with or without traditional acute rehabilitation, significantly improved functional outcomes for all 36 patients. These patients demonstrated improved quality of life, higher levels of function and independence, decreased disability and level of assistance needed for daily living, reduction in ABI-related morbidity and increases in occupational status or ability to return to work or vocation. The team of clinical experts at NeuLife proudly stands behind its quality clinical outcomes including, but not limited to its functional, cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
In addition to improved functional outcomes and quality of life, the study concluded that ABI-related lifetime cost projections markedly diminished after post-acute rehabilitation, referred to throughout the study as “rehabilitation savings” (RS). In other words, those patients who underwent post-acute ABI rehabilitation were projected to incur lower life care costs compared to patients who did not continue rehabilitation during the post-acute period. More specifically, the costs needed for long term needs such as hospitalizations, medical procedures, nursing, attendant care, medications and the like over the patient’s life expectancy significantly decreased after post-acute ABI rehabilitation. In fact, the study showed that on average, over $2 million was saved in lifetime costs per patient for those who received post-acute care. Cost and functional effectiveness was more pronounced when post-acute rehabilitation was initiated within the 1st year after ABI.
Read more: Brain injury facility
About NeuLife Rehabilitation
NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the largest residential post-acute rehabilitation programs of its kind specializing in catastrophic rehabilitation for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and other complex injuries. Individuals who have experienced a catastrophic or complex work injury or illness such as an acquired brain or spinal cord injury, amputation, severe burn, complex orthopedic injury, stroke or other debilitating condition can now access quality specialized rehabilitation in a therapeutic, residential environment that offers individualized care and programming that will help them achieve the highest level of functional independence and the best quality of life.
NeuLife’s mission is to provide a comprehensive outcomes-based program of neuro rehab to support and promote the improvement of the quality of life of our patients. Based on our most recent data, our patients achieve an average functional improvement of 80% from admission to discharge. Our average length of stay varies depending on patient need. In addition, 86% of our patients are discharged to home, work or school and successfully reintegrated into the community, resulting in substantial rehabilitation savings for our patients with ABI, their families and other stakeholders.
NeuLife is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Programs include inpatient general and neurological rehabilitation, behavioral/cognitive therapy, community reintegration and Supported Living.
For additional information about NeuLife, please visit our website or call us at 1-800-626-3876. Please also feel free to contact our Clinical Liaisons, Wendy McCracken at 904-534-2518, Brandy Narciso at 813-892-5471 or Fred Langan at 727-308-8073 to discuss a possible referral.
The doors to NeuLife Neurological Rehabilitation Services, an inpatient rehab facility in Mount Dora, Florida, remained open to serve patients, families, pets and staff during Hurricane Irma. NeuLife was, and continues to be, fully operational to serve the needs of its patients and the community, thanks to a highly professional and committed staff and the purchase of a $200,000 emergency generator, last year, which provided continuous electricity and air conditioning throughout our care facility.
Immediately prior to Hurricane Irma, NeuLife implemented its highest level of emergency readiness in preparation for winds predicted to reach 129 mph with higher gusts, according to Lake County officials. Clinical and non-clinical staff designated as Team A, the “Preparation” team, reported to the facility on Saturday, September 9, prepared to stay in-house with their families and pets until after the hurricane. Dedicated family and staff sleeping areas were assigned, a child care center was established, complete with a game room for entertainment and a pet shelter was created for the family pets.
Hurricane Irma tore through Mount Dora overnight Sunday and into Monday, bringing maximum sustained winds that reached as high as 76 mph, causing downed trees, blocked roadways and widespread power outages. As soon as the County announced it was safe to travel on local roads, NeuLife Team B, the Recovery Team, including clinical, non-clinical and support staff (therapy) relieved Team A and assisted in hurricane clean-up and other recovery efforts.
Throughout the storm, NeuLife maintained its focus – the safety and well-being of its patients. To its credit, NeuLife was able to maintain continuity and continue to provide high quality patient care and staffing without disruption.
Nikki Eldridge, RN, Director of Nursing at NeuLife Rehab said “Everyone did an awesome job during Hurricane Irma. Everything ran smoothly and we were able to continue to provide excellent care to those we serve. I have received many compliments from client’s and their families about how well the team did during the hurricane. We had several go above and beyond to be sure everything ran smoothly. I am honored to be a part of the team. I am very proud of everyone’s compassion and team work through this exhausting time.”
About NeuLife Rehabilitation Services
NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the largest residential post-acute rehabilitation programs of its kind specializing in catastrophic rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and other complex injuries. Individuals who have experienced a catastrophic or complex work injury or illness such as a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, amputation, severe burn, complex orthopedic injury, stroke or other debilitating condition can now access quality specialized rehabilitation in a therapeutic, residential environment that offers individualized care and programming that will help them achieve the highest level of functional independence and the best quality of life.
NeuLife is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Programs include inpatient general and neurological rehabilitation, behavioral/cognitive therapy, community reintegration and Supported Living.
NeuLife’s mission is to provide a comprehensive outcomes-based program of neuro rehabilitation to support and promote the improvement of the quality of life of our patients. Based on our most recent data, our patients achieve an average functional improvement of 80% from admission to discharge. Our average length of stay is 60 days. In addition, 86% of our patients are discharged to home, work or school and successfully reintegrated into the community.
Read more about our Brain Injury Center, Post Acute Rehab, and Residential Rehabilitation programs.
For additional information about NeuLife, please visit www.NeuLifeRehab.com or call us at 1-800-626-3876. Please also feel free to contact our Clinical Liaisons, Wendy McCracken at 904-534-2518, Brandy Narciso at 813-892-5471 or Fred Langan at 727-308-8073 to discuss a possible referral.
Patrick & McCloe at NeuLife Rehab
Jason McCloe and his fellow band members (Adrenaline Mob) were traveling when their RV got a flat tire. McCloe had been driving when he pulled over to fix the tire. Before he could return to the driver’s seat, he was violently struck from behind by a semi-truck. The driver of the semi-truck had fallen asleep at the wheel, and lost control of the vehicle. His semi collided with the RV and an SUV that had been traveling with the band.
22-years-old Lance Corporal Reservist Patrick Dumo witnessed the accident. He quickly pulled over and proceeded to pull McCloe from the wreckage. Due to the impact and the explosion that followed, McCloe was ejected from the RV through the front windshield. However, as the vehicle continued to roll forward, his body was slammed against the road until he eventually ended up inside the vehicle again.
Based on McCloe’s report of the accident, he was attempting to escape the burning RV and collapsed. Luckily, Patrick saw him and was able to pull him from the wreckage and remove him from danger. As Patrick pulled McCloe from the wreckage a second explosion occurred, placing him dangerously close to the flames. He was able to pull McCloe to safety for approximately 75 feet. When the ambulance arrived, Patrick remained with McCloe until the paramedics could provide care. He was with McCloe, and the other band member for more than seven hours.
At only 22-years-old, Patrick is attending school to pursue his education in the technology field. Due to being a reservist, Patrick does not have full military benefits and is trying to make ends meet by working as an aid for elderly people and being part of the Marine Corps.
When Patrick came to NeuLife to visit McCloe, he was impressed by their facility and the quality of care they provide to their clients. McCloe has also been impressed with NeuLife since day one. He said everyone welcomed him, made him feel comfortable and called him by his first name. He feels his care has been outstanding.
NeuLife salutes our everyday heroes, our patients. We also honor our country’s heroes for the sacrifices they make on our behalf.
We know that choosing the next step in your recovery from a catastrophic illness or injury is complex. Together, we can help you take the next step.
Contact us with any questions today.
