Brain Injury Program
518-382-4569

Sunnyview's method of treating traumatic brain injuries acknowledges that each patient's injury and life situation is unique, and that individuals experience differing rates and degrees of recovery.

Following the hard work associated with intensive rehabilitation as an inpatient, both the patient and family members are often faced with the realization that the individual is not "cured," and that recovery will be a continuing process. For this reason, the Sunnyview Brain Injury Center continues to provide treatment well after the patient leaves the hospital by offering intensive, coordinated outpatient services.

The ultimate goal of both inpatient and outpatient programs is to enable the patient to resume life at home, in the community, and at school or in a vocation.

A brain injury may result in problems with movement, communication, the ability to perceive visually, memory, and higher level thinking and reasoning skills. Emotional and personality changes that the injury may cause may interfere with the patient's ability to successfully interact with others. Family members may also have difficulty in dealing with changes that result from a traumatic brain injury.

Upon admission, each patient is assigned to the specialty unit staffed by rehabilitation nurses specifically trained in brain injury rehabilitation. The unit provides a safe, structured environment designed specifically for patients with brain injuries.

Sunnyview's Brain Injury Center has 24-hour medical coverage available in the event that a patient's medical status changes. Sunnyview's experienced brain injury clinical team consists of:

• board-certified physiatrists (that is, physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation)
• physical therapists
• rehabilitation nurses
• occupational therapists
• psychologists
• neuropsychologists
• social workers
• speech and language pathologists
• recreation therapists
• vocational counselors
• driving educators
• special educators

How the Program Works

When a person suffers from an accident that leads to a traumatic brain injury, his or her family is often under great stress. Sunnyview strives to create an atmosphere of openness and support for both the patient and family.

During the initial stages of admission, all patients participate in a comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluation. Sunnyview professionals establish a treatment plan by incorporating the goals of the family, the patient, and the team. Sunnyview staff evaluate the patient's condition on an ongoing basis, and makes modifications as the patient progresses through the therapeutic process.

A typical inpatient program may include:

• physical training/walking
• self-care training
• cognitive retraining with an emphasis on learning strategies to compensate for loss of memory or ability to think
• social communication skills training
• family and patient support
• vocational evaluation and training
• community living skills training
• driving assessment
• educational programs