Brain Injury Unit

he Brain Injury Unit at Queens Nassau Rehabilitation & Nursing Center handles all types of brain related impairments, from closed head injuries such as strokes, anurisms, and anoxia, to open head injuries caused by gunshot wounds, assaults or automobile accidents. We are one of only a handfull of quality programs in the greater metropolitan area that provides specialized services for the brain damaged individual and their families. What makes Queens Nassau’s rehab unit unique from other rehab programs? It is our focus on both the physical as well as the cognitivel/behavorial deficits issues which are usually the most significant factors in a brain injured patient’s adjustment to community life after rehab. Without it, patients and their families are left to deal with these volatile issues on their own, without any support. Our expert staff are sympthathetic and trained to deal with these issues and are able to provide the proper support for a more comprehensive rehabilitative experience for both resident and family.

• Admissions Criteria
• Programs
• Comprehensive Services
• Cognitive Rehabilitation
• Life Skills / Community Re-Entry

Candidates:

• Traumatic Head Injury
• Aneurism
• Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
• Anoxia
• Brain Surgery
• Acquired, non-degenerative brain damage

Individual Characteristics:

• 16 years of age or older
• Medical Stability
• non persistent vegetative state
• Demonstrate potential for physical, behavioral and cognitive rehabilitation
• Capable of exhibiting at least localized responses by reacting to stimuli

Queens Nassau offers two distinct programs designed to meet the needs of individuals with brain injuries.

These programs provide for the physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social interpersonal needs of individuals with brain injuries. The therapeutic environment fosters a level of independence consistent with the individual’s potential. Our experienced and highly qualified staff review each residents plan of care weekly to evaluate improvement and modifications as well as potential for discharge.

Certified Level of Care

The Certified Program at Queens Nassau focuses on comprehensive rehabilitation for individuals with sub-acute brain injuries. This 3-12 month program is geared to meet the needs of those clients who require an intensive, structured, multidisciplinary program. Clear rehabilitation goals are established and a time frame is designed to achieve those objectives.

Extended Level of Care

The Extended Care Brain Injury Program is designed for individuals who may be demonstrating somewhat slower progress or whose goals require less intensive rehabilitation services while focusing on long term health care needs.

In both the Certified and Extended programs a wide range of services are provided. These services include:
Transportation for certified TBI family members Psychiatric Consultation / Medical Services Neuropsychology / Psychological Assessment Cognitive Therapy Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Coma Recovery Individual and Group Psychotherapy Behavior Management Resident and Family Counseling Resident and Family Education Psychiatric Consultation AA Addiction Rehabilitation Services Pre-vocational and Vocational Services Recreational Therapy / Art Music Therapy Social Services / Case Management Discharge Planning Life Skills / Community Re-Entry

Rehabilitation in the cognitive realm is a specific need of most brain injury survivors.

Cognitive rehabilitation is provided in both individual and group settings. Clients begin each day with an orientation class. This class assists them in organizing their day using cognitive tools such as a memory book and keeps them in touch with current events.

Neuropsychological testing helps determine additional cognitive interventions which are tailored to each client’s needs. The cognitive program includes individual re-training sessions, computer software tools, and small group sessions.

An important aspect of the brain injury program is re-learning and reinforcing life skills necessary for independent living. Some of these skills are:

• Travel Training
• Time Management
• Money Management - Including Banking
• Shopping
• Meal Planning
• Cooking

These skills are reinforced with each client and interventions are geared to his/her specific level of functioning. Occupational therapy is provided to develop these skills both in and out of the facility. The Recreation Department then provides community trips and activities to reinforce these skills. Community re-entry is a strong program focus for those clients who reach candidacy.