Outcomes of community re-entry programmes for brain injury survivors. Part 1: Independent living and productive activities

Abstract

This is a study of the multiple outcomes of residential community re-entry programmes for disabled survivors of brain injury. The sample consisted of 82 clients from nine facilities across the USA. The level of functioning of the client at and before admission was determined from clinical evaluations reported in programme records. Telephone interviews assessed outcomes 1 year after discharge. The participation in the re-entry programmes led to enduring improvements in independent living and productive activities. Total supervision requirements decreased substantially. Paid employment increased, but benefits went much beyond this to include improvements in educational activities, unpaid vocational activities, and especially household management. For the most part, these improvements cannot be attributed to chronicity or natural healing. The benefits of the re-entry programmes were clearly multiple. The results generally affirm the effectiveness and utility of community re-entry programmes.