Resources and Advocacy

Neurological injury affects individuals of all ages and their family members. Management of these conditions, and support for those affected, does not end at hospital discharge but continues as individuals re-enter their communities and daily lives. They often face new challenges and require support for successful community re-entry, which may include support for self-care, home maintenance, school re-entry, return to work, interpersonal functioning, and social and leisure activities. There are unique considerations for supporting children versus adults with neurological injuries. This chapter provides an overview of community re-entry needs and community resources, with a particular focus on school re-entry for children, and post-acute and vocational rehabilitation for adults with neurological injuries. A list of web-based resources is included, followed by both a pediatric and an adult case illustration. Individuals and their families can benefit from information provided by acute care neurorehabilitation consultants on community resources and post-discharge follow-up to ensure that transitional care plans include appropriate service acquisition and address developing needs.