When victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustain severe injury, they can require months of therapy to fully recover. Even after their wounds heal, they may never regain certain functions. Permanent cognitive and physical disabilities could mean they will always need assistance with day-to-day life.
In addition to physical and cognitive impairment, some TBI victims suffer emotional and behavioral side effects as well. Depending on the damage, TBI victims can be prone to bouts of anger, depression and self-destruction.
Assisted living facilities do their best to accommodate brain injury victims, but there are more patients than there are beds. Often, patients with a history of violence or erratic behavior are turned away.
In home-care allows patients to stay around their loved ones while receiving the help they need, but it can cost $6,000 to $7,000 a month for private care. Medicaid patients are eligible for long-term care benefits, but Medicare patients are not.
On July 1, Colorado’s brain injury waiver program is changing to allow people who were injured before the age of 16 to receive special incentives and services for TBI victims. The new policies also provide financial incentives for assisted living facilities to accept TBI patients.
As of July 8, a 24-year-old victim of traumatic brain injury had been living at North Colorado Medical Center for six months, because his family could not find a long-term living solution for him.
The Greeley resident was injured at the age of 10, in a bicycle accident. The bike rolled over him when he fell, and the kickstand punctured his brain.
He suffered long-term physical and cognitive disabilities, but he still graduated high school and moved into his own apartment.
The young man managed to live independently for a while, but he was forced to move back in with his parents after doctors diagnosed him with epilepsy.
His family enrolled him in an assisted living facility in Greeley, but he was evicted after he threatened to harm himself in a violent outburst.
His mother works full time now, and there is a high risk of a seizure while he is home alone. For now, the man is a patient at North Colorado Medical Center until his family finds a permanent solution.
Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Colorado
Traumatic brain injury victims often need extensive recovery time for their initial injury, in addition to physical and behavioral therapy. Depending on your finances, it can be difficult to give your loved one the care they deserve.
At Metier Law Firm, we know how hard it can be, and we want to fight for you. If another party’s negligence caused your accident, you should not have to bear the financial burden alone. Set up a free consultation with an experienced attorney today. Together, we can work to make a difference in your loved one’s life.
Metier Law Firm, LLC – Injury Attorneys Serving Clients Nationwide