Family Support

Re-connecting with one’s world after a brain injury, including stroke, can be overwhelming for survivors and their families. Often families experience a wide range of responses after a stroke or TBI because their lives have changed forever. There is a significant need for longer term support as clients and their families reconnect into their lives and their communities. 

Neuropsychology Consultation

ARBI’s Neuropsychologist works with ARBI’s clients, families, and staff to address the cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural consequences of brain injury or stroke.

Our Neuropsychologist assesses the clients' abilities to process information and respond in an appropriate manner. The individual’s emotional and social wellbeing are also evaluated. The Neuropsychologist then provides recommendations to help clients successfully reintegrate into the community.

Clinical Counsellor (Pilot Project)

ARBI’s counsellor is involved with stroke survivors and families from the intake process through to discharge, supporting them as they move forward. The counsellor’s role is to create a safe and collaborative environment for clients and their families to share their struggles, learn, grow and find hope as they overcome the many challenges that lie ahead.

We believe that each client and family that comes through ARBI’s doors have their own unique sources of strength. With support, our hope is to help them to understand that there can be life after stroke.

ARBI’s Clinical Counsellor Provides:

• Support, education, counselling (individual and family), advocacy and connection to other services as well as consultation/liaison with other health care teams
• Monthly support groups for ARBI’s clients, their families, and caregivers

​Family Support Groups

ARBI runs a monthly support group to create a safe place for clients and families to come together with other survivors. They create connections with one another and with community resources as they reconstruct their lives.

Support groups provide a way for survivors to:

• Share with others who can understand what they are going through
• Help solve problems and find local resources to move forward with their lives
• Help clients to know they are not alone
• Encourage each other to try new things

​Advocacy

Recovery from TBI or stroke is a lifelong process. ARBI plays a strong role in advocating for clients and families throughout their rehabilitation process and beyond. 

ARBI roles in Advocacy:

• Promote stroke and TBI recovery by connecting clients and their families to appropriate resources. This means increasing education, communication, referrals, and follow-up with health care professionals and public/community organizations
• Build a strong sense of community
• Build a strong support network 
• Represent stroke and TBI survivors’ interests 
• Establish partnerships and liaisons with community based stroke and TBI associations or agencies

Caregiver Support

ARBI believes in the importance of caregiver support; managing caregiver stress and being proactive to avoid caregiver burnout.

See the Resource Centre or PDFs below for additional information: www.albertahealthservices.ca/3725.asp

Downloadable PDFs

• Identifying Caregiver Stress
• Managing Caregiver Stress