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Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Potens provided a range of services for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) to support them with rehabilitation no matter what their needs.

Rehabilitation is the cornerstone of all our support and can be defined as “a process of assessment, treatment and management by which the individual is supported to achieve their maximum potential for physical, cognitive, social and psychological function, participation in society and quality of living.” NHS England

Goals will vary from individual to individual because we are all different. It will depend on the service and stage of your condition.

We cannot do this by ourselves and will look for extra support from local teams. This is in recognition that rehabilitation is a complex process and the more people involved will mean better outcomes for you.

To find out more about the specialist support we can provide to you locally contact us today

Symptoms may include:
+ Loss of memory.
+ Difficulty concentrating.
+ Difficulty finding the right words or understanding what other people are saying.
+ A poor sense of time and place.
+ Difficulty completing self-care and domestic tasks.
+ Difficulty solving minor problems-mood changes.
+ Changes in behaviour.

What is special about dementia in people with learning disabilities? – There is no evidence that dementia affects people with learning disabilities differently to how it affects other people. However, the early stages are more likely to be missed or misinterpreted – particularly if several professionals are involved in the person’s care.

The person may find it hard to express how they feel their abilities have deteriorated, and problems with communication may make it more difficult for others to assess change. It is vital that people who understand the person’s usual methods of communication are involved when a diagnosis is being explored – particularly where the person involved does not use words to communicate.

The Support provided through Potens.

Specialist Dementia Support – All staff complete training in Dementia Care so that there is a broad understanding of the principles of good practice.

Some of the strategies employed include:
– Use of “Life Story Books”.
– Relaxation techniques-Separate quiet areas.
– Use of visual labels-Individual visual planners.
– Structured routines.
– Pictorial year books.

The physical layout of homes is ideally suited to provide quiet space with the option of individuals spending time in their own room. Homes have lift access to upper floors as well as ground floor bedrooms and can cater for people with limited mobility, thereby making them ideal long term homes for people with learning disabilities as they get older.

Potens offers a range of services for people with learning disabilities and early onset dementia, please see our Locations page for information about services in your area, or please contact us to find out more or to make a referral.

POTENS is proud to support