As Carers Week (June 10-16, 2013) highlights the tireless work of Britain’s 7 million unpaid carers, people looking after a brain injured relative can turn to the Brain Injury Group for financial, emotional and practical support.
The Brain Injury Group is a gateway to support from expert brain injury solicitors, case workers and associated professionals who work together to assist brain injured people and their carers. The impact of a brain injury can be shattering on a family and it brings an immediate care need that can be neither foreseen nor prepared for. The Brain Injury Group recognises these diverse needs and brings together a network of specialist brain injury solicitors to help with a legal claim, guidance on welfare and benefits and a statutory funding advice service to bring clarity and peace of mind. It also signposts people to support groups where they can meet others in a similar position.
“Brain injuries can have a devastating effect on the whole family, and carers play a vital role in the long term support and recovery of people with brain injuries, which is why it’s so important they receive the right legal advice and support services to help them manage the years ahead,” says Sally Dunscombe, co-founder and director of the Brain Injury Group. “But financial help is only part of the story so we also offer practical benefits for the whole family and and an information and signposting service for everyone affected by brain injury.”
‘Prepared to care?’
The theme of Carers Week this year is ‘Prepared to care?’ As a brain injury happens suddenly, nothing can prepare you for the shock and life-changing consequences that arise for the injured person and their relatives. Once the initial trauma is over and the brain injured person’s life is out of danger, the reality of them needing care – probably for the rest of their lives – hits home hard. This sudden burden, coupled with concern for their loved one, can take a heavy toll on the carer, whose health and wellbeing are often overlooked. “It is estimated that 40% of carers are at risk from depression through the stress of caring so we have put experts in place who are able to offer advice, comfort and practical support to the carer,” says Sally.
Meeting the cost
“The new Care Bill is going in the right direction but isn’t going to solve everyone’s problems,” says Sally. “The financial support doesn’t come until the carer or cared-for person has spent £75,000 on care. That cost would cripple many households and by the time it has been paid, the damage is done.”
The Brain Injury Group addressed this by putting people in touch with brain injury solicitors who will fight to secure the financial compensation that will go towards funding the high costs associated with caring, including adaptations to the home, mobility aids and medical support. They can often also help by securing interim payments to fund the essential care needed before a final settlement is reached too, as our case study below shows. Claimants are also put in touch with other specialists services, including financial advisors and a case management support service, which comes free of charge as part of the holistic service the Group offers.
Information and signposting for all
There is a wealth of information and signposting to reliable services and support groups for anyone affected by brain injury at www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/carers. This includes the BIG Directory of services which has links to a wide range of products and services to help people with a brain injury, regardless of how it occurred.
Furthermore, the Brain Injury Group is running free, no-obligation drop-in clinics during Carers Week. Anyone with a concern about caring for the brain injured relative or friend can come along and seek informal advice about their personal circumstances:
London – Thursday 13th June – Isaac Newton Centre, 108a Lancaster Road, Ladbroke Grove: 10am-4pm
Norwich – Thursday 13 June, Costessy Centre, Longwater Lane, Norwich, NRB 5AH: 10am-3pm
Liverpool – Friday 14th June, St George’s Hall, Liverpool: 10.30am -3.00pm
More clinics will be added to the braininjurygroup.co.uk/carers site as they are confirmed.
All carers who attend a clinic could win a well-deserved spa break for two worth £199 by entering the free draw (entry is also online at www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/carers).
Case Study – Sue Organ, wife and carer of Charles Organ
Sue received legal advice and compensation to enable her to care for Charles at home. “I am very fortunate in that Charles’ solicitor – Neil Elliot of Thrings, a Brain Injury Group member – fought hard for compensation on our behalf,” says Sue whose B.I.G support group marks its two year anniversary during Carer’s Week. “The compensation Thrings secured for us meant we could afford to employ professional care and source specialist equipment so that Charles could remain at home,” she continues. “It is vital that carers of a loved one know where to find the help they need and I’m pleased to see the Brain Injury Group support Carer’s Week to raise awareness of the work carers do and the opportunities available to us on behalf of our brain injured relatives.”
Find out more at:
www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/carers
Media contact:
Katherine Selby, PR Workshop, 020 8657 4422,Katherine@prworkshop.co.uk
