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Acknowledgements
This report is built on the efforts of many dedicated professionals, families and
persons with brain injury. Space prohibits naming them all, but we would like to express
gratitude to a few of the prominent contributors to the Indiana TBI Needs Assessment.
The Indiana TBI
Advisory Committee:
Odie Bracy, Ph.D.Neuroscience Center ofIndianapolis
Suzann Byers, CRRN
Southern Indiana RehabilitationHospital
Sue Collins, BS, RN
Central Indiana CaseManagement Society
Stephanie Combs, MSHook Rehabilitation Center
Representative William
Crawford
Indiana House ofRepresentatives
Nancy Dayhoff, EdDIUPUI School of Nursing
Tom Doehrman, Esq.Conour-Doehrman
Donna Evans
TBI Medicaid Waiver Program
Carlos Faustino, M.D.TBI Community Representative
Andrew KlatteDepartment of Mental Health
Sharon Knoth
Indiana Department of
Education/ Division of SpecialEducation
Penny Lewis, BA, CSPIBIAI
Mary Locke, Ph.D.Green and Locke Associates
Karen May, RN, CRRNBrain Injury Association
National Board of Directors
Cathy Nordholm, MSIndiana State Department ofHealth/ Maternal Child Health
Services
Senator Robert MeeksIndiana State Senate
Carole ReynoldsTBI Community Representative
Margaret Sak, OTR
Memorial Regional Hospital ofSouth Bend
Bill Schmitt
HealthSouth Surgical Center
Robert SetreeTBI Community Representative
Nancy Smith-FagueIndiana Family Social ServicesAdministration/ Division ofDisability Aging andRehabilitation Services
Michael Turner, M.D.
Indianapolis NeurosurgeryGroup
Jacqueline Wall, Ph.D.
University of Indianapolis
The BIAI Staff:
Donna Jackson
Executive SecretaryBetty Jackson
Project Co-Coordinator
Frank VanArsdall
Project Co-Coordinator
Kelsey DunningVolunteer
Christy DinklaProject Intern
Tom MillsProject Intern
Town Meeting Panelists:
David HaludaIndiana Department ofVocational Rehabilitation
Marie Reimers
Central Indiana Council onAging (CICOA)
Lonnie DouglasSouth Bend Commission on
Human Rights
Ramona MillerArea 14 Agency on Aging andCommunity Services (Lifespan
Resources, Inc.)
Kevin BlevinsDivision of Aging and
Rehabilitation Services
Mary Haas
Brain Injury Association ofKentucky
Charlotte SteidomCICOA
Doug BebeeIndiana Department of
Vocational Rehabilitation
Demaris StewartIndiana Department Of
EducationDonna White
IndyGo
Rama Rothe
Center for ComprehensiveServices
Nancy Ford-Winters
Advocate
Other Assistance:
Ellen Mathia
Director for University
Relations, The University ofIndianapolis
Special Thanks to:
Jeffery Kreutzer, Ph.D.
Allen Heinenmann, Ph.DLinda Moore
Suzann Byers
Nancy Palka
Sue Behagg
Norman Stephens
Nancy Howe
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Indianas Problem
Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability to Indianas children and teens. It is
also a leading cause of disability for Hoosiers in the prime working years people with families
who depend on them.
The entire scope of the problem cannot be known. Indiana,
unlike other states, has no plan for tracking the numbers of
brain injuries that occur within its borders. What numbers are
known are from hospital admission records that the Indiana
Hospital and Health Association maintains. The admission
records, while not presenting the entire story, show that
Hoosiers are afflicted with brain injuries at epidemic levels.
Despite the numbers, many people, including medical
professionals, do not understand the long-term issues that confront those who live with brain
injury. Many survivors are unable to return to work without assistance. Family members often
leave, or cut back on, their work to care for injured family members.
Indiana has no public policy for serving persons with brain injury and their families. Existing
services are fragmented, without any unifying plan to follow. Have a well-defined unified plan is
critical when you consider that brain injured people often lose executive function skills that assist
an individual in piecing such services together. In addition, brain injury is a physical disability
of the brain that leads to cognitive, behavioral and/or emotional issues, which often do not fit the
eligibility criteria for the limited services available in Indiana.
In 1999, the Indiana State Department of Healths Maternal and Child Health Service
(ISDH/MCHS) applied for a grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration.
This grant provided monies to conduct a Needs Assessment in Indiana as well as other items.
ISDH/MCHS contracted with the Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI) to conduct the
Needs Assessment to identify the unmet needs of persons with brain injury and their families.
BIAI with help from the Indiana Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Committee and rehabilitation
hospitals throughout the state, assessed these needs at the levels of consumers, professionals and
service providers. The goal of the Assessment was to develop a plan of action to make the
I personally think that forthe last six or seven yearsIndiana has been in theDark Ages, as far as TBI is
concerned. Robert Meeks, Indiana
State Senator, R-Kendallville, atthe 4/25/00 town meeting todiscuss service gaps for Hoosierswith brain injuries.
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A disruption of brain functioning caused by external force (e.g. throughmotor vehicle crash or fall), oxygen deprivation (e.g. through heart attack ornear drowning), infectious disease (e.g. meningitis), brain tumor, cerebral
disruption (e.g. aneurysm), surgery, toxic exposure, and other neurologicaldisorders, which mainly affect the central nervous system.
network of services accessible and effective for those who need them. The effectiveness of a
service is measured by how well it helps people return to their families and communities as
productive members.
With no warning brain injury transforms a productive individual into a consumer of public
resources. Restoring quality of life to persons with brain injury benefits the larger community
whether the results are a return to full-time employment or simply increased independence
within the community.
Economists call this opportunity cost. That is, the price on something is not true value; you
must also figure in the costs of the alternatives. What will be the lost opportunities? Services for
people with brain injury and their families do have costs but, in the long run, unmet needs cost
the community more.
Brain Injury-- What Is It?
The terms Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) are often confused;
for most purposes they may be used interchangeably. The New Hampshire Department of Health
and Human Services uses a practical definition that covers both:1
In short, any injury to the brain that is not present at birth or that is not the result of some
form of natural breakdown (e.g. Alzheimers disease) is considered brain injury. To those who
live with brain injury, however, the labels are only academic because the effects and needs are
the same.
Possible Consequences of brain injury:2
A brain injury may cause mild, moderate or severe problems in one or more areas, including
cognition (see the definition below) as well as behavioral, physical, and emotional abilities.
Cognitive effects such as: short term memory loss; inability to learn new information;
impaired ability to organize or plan; impaired judgment; unable to do more than one
thing at a time; forgetfulness; reduced attention span.
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Cognitionis a complex collection ofmental skills that include attention,perception, comprehension, learning,remembering, problem solving,reasoningThese mental attributes allow
us to understand our world and tofunction within it. After a brain injury aperson typically loses one or more ofthese skills. Cognitive rehabilitation is theart and science of restoring these mental
processes to the brain.Parente and Herrmann, 1996, RetrainingCognition: Techniques and Applications. AspenPublishers, Inc. p. 1
Behavioral effects
such as: social
inappropriateness,
impulsivity, agitation and
aggression, fabrication.
Physical effects such as: seizures,
muscle spasms, vision problems,
speech impairments, headaches or
migraines, fatigue, increased need for
sleep, balance problems.
Emotional effectssuch as: loss of initiative, difficulty in completing tasks without
reminders, increased anxiety, depression and mood swings, impulsive behavior, difficulty
in seeing how behaviors can affect others, denial of deficits.
Just how big is the problem for Indiana?
To the Center for Disease Control (CDC), brain injury is the silent epidemic. It is the
fastest growing disability in America. Nationally, the CDC ranks TBI as a larger problem than
AIDS, Breast Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis combined.3 The CDC estimates that 5.3 million
Americans are now living with a TBI related disability (more than the population of Wisconsin).
The most complete data available for Hoosiers comes from the Indiana Hospital and Health
Association (IHHA), which reports admissions to Indiana hospitals for brain injuries in 1997.
This report shows 8,818 admissions of Hoosiers for brain injury in Indiana during 1997
roughly the population of Switzerland County.4 This does not include people who were treated
and released in emergency rooms, clinics, or doctor offices. Exact numbers are impossible to
collect without a Trauma Registry being established in Indiana.
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We do know that, in Indiana, the incidence of brain injury dwarfs those of better-known
medical problems such as HIV/ AIDS, Hepatitis, and most forms of Cancer. For a better
perspective see table 1.
Nationwide, TBI is one of the leading causes of death and disability to children and
young adults. The IHHA admissions numbers hint at this impact on young Hoosiers:
54 percent are 44 years old or younger
45 percent are 34 or younger
23 percent are 18 or younger
12 percent are 7 or younger
The largest group is for males 19 to
34 they alone make 16 percent of all
hospital admissions for TBI
Since brain injury has its greatest effect
on the core of our society, Indiana has
obvious economic and social interests in
Hoosier Medical Problem
(Most recent data available for each)
Known
Incidence
Incidence per
100,000 Hoosiers
Brain Injury (1997)5 8818 149.26
Lung & Bronchial Cancer (1995)6 3896 59.2
Breast Cancer (1995)5
3711 55.3
Prostrate Cancer (1995) 2760 41.6
All Skin Cancers (1995)5
678 10.0
AIDS and HIV (March 2000)7 548 9.38
Leukemia (1995)
513 7.8
Hepatitis A, B & C (1998) 260 4.4
Table 1
Indiana Brain Injuries by age and
sex 1997
7-12 F
1.34%
13-18 M
7.99%
0-6 F
2.97%
45-54 F
2.92%
45-54 M
5.95%
35-44 F
3.93%
55-64 F
2.33%
55-64 M
3.83%
0-6 M
4.19%
19-34 M
15.54%
35-44 M
8.66%
7-12 M
2.97%
13-18 F
3.80%
19-34 F
6.36%
65+ M
12.72%
65+ F
14.50%
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Rarely are the Consequences limitedto one set of symptoms, clearly delineatedimpairments, or a disability that affectsonly a part of a persons life, Rather theconsequences of traumatic brain injuryoften influence human functions along acontinuum from altered physiologicalfunctions of cells through neurologicaland psychological impairments, to
medical problems and disabilitiesThe National Institute of Health, Draft
Consensus Statement on TBI, 1999
seeing that they get the services needed to rejoin their communities.
Why havent we heard more about it?
Why is brain injury a silent epidemic? There are many reasons, but the main reason is the
rapid increase of incidence in recent years has caught society off-guard. Before the 1980s, most
people with severe brain injuries simply died. With medical advances emergency and trauma
care, surgical procedures and technology many more now survive. Even medical professionals
are still struggling to grasp the implications of survival and quality of life issues.
With mild to moderate brain injury the question is not so much about heroic life saving
measures as it is recognizing cause and effect. A common problem grows from people shrugging
off a concussion. It is difficult to understand the problems that may arise following a concussion
if you are injured and then develop problems without ever understanding why. Someones family
may notice that He just hasnt been the same since he was knocked in the head, without
realizing that anything can be done about it.
For many years brain injuries have been misdiagnosed. Because they often have behavioral
or cognitive symptoms they have often been treated as mental or developmental disabilities. This
has proven to be ineffective, at best.
There is also a question of activism: Brain injury stands in stark contrast to other disabilities
and medical problems that have advocates to push
for support and awareness. Most people with
severe brain injury, and their families, lack the
time, energy and resources to make a cause out of
their problem. Many people with mild brain
injury, on the other hand, would rather that no one
even know about it they do not want to be
stigmatized. People with brain injuries, regardless
of the severity, frequently lose their ability to
organize. Lacking a voice, they are ignored in
public policy.
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Results of recent studies tellus that untreated concussions,especially if it is not the first one,may have ramifications which could
last a lifetime.Dr. David Harsha, sports medicineprimary care physician at St. VincentHospital. The Indianapolis Star, 11/26/99
I can be holding a cupof coffee. The cup is inmy hand. I feel the cup.All of a sudden the cup
is gone.Lois, an Indianapoliswoman describing her lifeafter a double concussion.
What does it mean to live with brain injury?
The results of brain injury are different for each individual. Brain injury is not well defined,
unlike other disabilities such as Alzheimers, chronic mental illness, cancer or heart disease.
Since the human brain is extremely complex, the effects of any injury to it will depend on thelocation and severity of the wound as well as the method and timeliness of the treatment.
A mild brain injury, or concussion, is defined by either loss of consciousness, loss of
memory (of events just before or after the injury), a
changed mental state (at the time of injury), or any
combination of these symptoms. Moderate injuries
can cause unconsciousness that lasts anywhere from
a few minutes to a few hours followed by days of
confusion. Severe injuries almost always cause
long-term unconsciousness or coma.9
People with mild injuries have a good chance for complete recovery. Usually they work past
their deficits within three months. For some, however, the damage leaves long-term disabilities.
Moderately injured people may struggle with their impairments for months, maybe permanently.
Those with severe injuries will likely have to deal with permanent disabilities, although they can
achieve significant improvements.10
At first glance many people with brain injury show no sign of disability. Not only can
appearances be deceiving, they can be obstacles as well. The U.S. General Accounting Office
(GAO) noted this in a February 1998 report to Congress:
Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury who can walk, talk and look normal are refused
services, even though they cannot maintain themselves in the community without help.
Cognitively impaired people frequently lack executive skillshave difficulty functioning
independently.11
The GAO report says that these services, such asreminders to pay bills or assistance in figuring out a bank
balance, are relatively low cost but essential to ones ability to
live independently. Adults with brain injury, the report says,
often do not recognize their own limitations; they often have
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I have been incarcerated in
a nursing home, that isright, I said incarcerated. Iwish they had let me dieMy life has been a living
hell Ed, a severe TBI survivor atthe Fort Wayne town meetingon service gaps, 6/08/00
normal intelligence, but are unable to apply learning from one environment to another.
Without treatment, the GAO warns, individuals with problematic or unmanageable
behaviors are the most likely to become homeless, institutionalized . . .or imprisoned.
Even a mild brain injury can impair cognitive and psychological functions enough to create
problems at work, according to Robert J. Fabiano and Julie Daugherty, of Michigan State
University.12 It can decrease job performance and cause frequent job changes.
Efficient and effective rehabilitation is imperative, they say, for reducing the personal and
economic losses associated with mild traumatic brain injury. With proper diagnosis and
treatment, they say, most people with mild brain injuries are able to restore their lives, stabilize
their families, and return to work.
Those recovering from severe brain injuries face the
toughest odds. Many have no chance to resume what we (or
they) would think of as normal lives. Some even grow to
hate medical professionals for making the effort to save
them. They, and their families, need to know that the
community supports their need to live as independently as
possible.
Needs and Services
While the effects of each brain injury are unique, many of the needs expressed are common.
Because of the uniqueness, however, it would be useless to prescribe a set of services for brain
injuries. People with brain injuries, and their families, require the ability to match the range of
services and supports to individual needs.
There are some basic issues that the state of Indiana can address to manage the concerns
presented by the epidemic numbers of these injuries:
A standard set of definitions for state agencies and service providers in Indiana need to be
developed. People can, and do, slip through the cracks of the system because we do not always
agree on what things mean. When it comes to questions of eligibility and accessibility everyone
needs to speak the same language. At other times people with brain injuries are denied
services because definitions of disability, used in the eligibility criteria for agencies such as
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Once youre scraped up offthe pavement, youre on
your own Vicky, an Indianapolis womanwith multiple brain injuries,referring to the availability ofinformation to survivors of TBI4/25/00
Medicaid, only acknowledge problems that either show physical effects or arise from neatly
categorized mental disabilities.
A Comprehensive Reporting and Tracking System for Brain Injuries: The proportions
of the public health concerns presented by brain injury are hard to estimate because the data is, at
best, sketchy. There is no accurate and comprehensive method for identifying and tracking
individuals with brain injuries from initial treatment through community re-integration. To set
effective policy Indiana will need to follow the lead of other states, such as Alaska and Arizona
in this regard.
A Single Point of Entry for Government Provided Servicesregardless of which hospital
or medical setting provides treatment a single referral point
is needed for information, resources, and assistance with
accessing governmental assistance. This would enable
people to find what is available through one lead agency.
Currently, Indiana has no such information warehouse to
ease entry to the system of services and supports which may
apply to individuals with brain injury. The challenge of finding out what is available is
overwhelming and lack of direction effectively shuts families out of the very system that is
supposed to help.
Many service providers and state agencies lack understanding of the issues that surround
brain injury. This is a major obstacle between people and appropriate services. Think about it:
People with brain injuries are routinely referred to programs for the mentally or developmentally
disabled, and professionals in such programs often have little or no training in brain injury
issues. Such programs are often neither appropriate nor adequate to the needs presented by brain
injury.
The problem is that few of those who need to be knowledgeable about brain injury actually
are. On a quiz of basic facts about brain injury (part of the TBI needs assessment) professional
service providers scored an average of 64 percent. If we were grading, that would be a solid D. If
Indiana had a single point of entry in place, we would see much less of this misdirection. As
things stand, much time and money (not to mention qualities of life) are being wasted because
there is no signpost to point the way.
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The biggest problem that counselors havewith TBI is that no case managementservices are available. As we know, withmost TBI customers, usually the criticalissues are lack of motivation, lack oforganizational skills and behavioralissueswe just dont have enough supportto make sure that things are carried
through.Dave Haluda, Indiana Department of VocationalRehabilitation, South Bend Area Supervisor
Case Management is especially
important for a group of people that often
loses organizational skills. They have a hard
time navigating the system to identify,
apply, and develop a service plan. Even for
those without injuries to cope with, it is still
often difficult to deal with a maze of
governmental, professional and corporate
bureaucracies. The disabilities associated
with brain injury are often life-long, but the needs that they present change over a persons
lifetime. A case manager to assess, manage and coordinate the services to meet those needs
would be very cost effective.
This is a concern that has come up repeatedly in the public meetings on service gaps for
persons with brain injuries held statewide in the summer of 2000. In many cases families, who
are already in a state of crisis, do not know what is available or where to look for it. The GAO
Report to Congress says, people without an effective and knowledgeable advocate [will]
probably not receive services
A case manager could ease another concernexpressed by both survivors and service
providersthe effective spread of information about brain injury and its consequences. At the
town meetings, people frequently complained that they were given no preparation for the trials
that lay ahead of them.
Case management needs to begin at admission to a
healthcare facility or program and include information
and discharge planning services. Any brain injury is a
crisis situation. People in crisis, especially those in denial
or with cognitive difficulties, are not in a good position to
search for information, juggle alternatives, and map out
strategies.
Community Reentry: The effectiveness of any
service should be measured by the success of individuals
I would like to see every ERgive some sort of Brain Injuryinformation to every patientdiagnosed with a head injury.Had my family had more
information, I might not still behaving these problems after
five years.Laure, a survey respondent fromDearborn County 4/00
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returning to the community as productive members. In
this regard, current Indiana public policy sets service
providers up for failure.
One such recipe for failure is the current policy of
allowing Medicaid to spend less money, per day, for
rehabilitative services within Indianas borders than it
will pay to send people to out of state facilities. Whatever
the intentions of this policy, it has the effect of either
causing services to be forfeited in order to keep families
together or negating the families role in rehabilitation by
providing services out-of-state. Even if rehabilitation is
successful, when the individual is ready to rejoin the community, those Hoosiers that are sent out
of state often cannot come back home because of the lack of services due to funding issues.
While Medicaid will reimburse between $350 and $550 per day for care and treatment of
individuals with brain injury in an out of state facility, it will only reimburse a third or less of
that amount per day within Indiana. This lower rate leaves precious few options for successful
rehabilitation and habilitation within Indiana. The only facilities affordable at this rate are
nursing homes. Few, if any, Hoosier nursing homes have the capabilities or training to meet the
needs of someone with a brain injury. At around $100 per day, few of them even want to try.
More importantly it is inappropriate placement for a 25-year-old to be placed long-term in a
nursing facility that generally treats
the geriatric population. Due to the
inappropriate nursing facility
placement, persons with brain
injury may become uncooperative,
even combative, with the staff. This
in turn can lead to chemical
restraint or expulsion from the
facility. Preparing someone to
rejoin the community is not a
viable option under current Indiana
There is a differencebetween housing andrehabilitation. Why just putpeople in a nursing home? Why
not help move them back intosociety and make themproductive at some level? TheState of Indiana has anobligation to provide this carein Indiana, not in Ohio, or
Kentucky, or Illinois.
Indiana State Senator RobertMeeks, R-Kendallville
We do not have a good mechanism in this state forappropriate respite care qualified respite care, not justsomeone to come in and give them a break
Karen May, RN, CRRN
We just dont have a large provider base for TBI[respite care] I do know that we need to do something interms of training providers so that they will be well
equipped to handle the TBI population.Donna Evans, Director of Indiana Medicaids TBI Waiver Unit
There would be those providers if the [Medicaid] ratewere high enough That is part of the problem. Its notanywhere near as high as it is for out of state placement
Senator Meeks
Dialog at the 4/25/00 Indianapolis town meeting.
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standards.
Many Hoosier families opt out of this system by caring for the injured member at home, and
at their own expense. Of course, the average Hoosier family is not equipped to deal with the
needs of a member with brain injury either.
For a family to make the effort, someone has
to take on the role of caregiver, which usually
means sacrificing income.
This may seem to save the state money,
but the savings do not match the hidden costs.
Stress takes a toll on families. Loss of family
income and productivity, multiplied by
thousands, hampers the state economy. Individuals with brain injuries are still (usually)
unprepared to rejoin the community. In the long run everyone ends up short-changed.
In the short-term Medicaid does have an answer, although it is one with limited
opportunities. That answer is the TBI Medicaid Waiver program, which allows reimbursement
for services not normally, covered by Medicaid. Waiver services are intended for independent
living, to keep individuals from being institutionalized. Indianas TBI Waiver program addresses
long-term needs unlike those of other states, such as Kentucky and Texas, which provide
temporary stopgap assistance.
The problem with waivers is that there just are not enough to go around. The state legislature
has authorized 200 TBI Waivers, and Medicaid has interpreted this to mean only 200 individuals.
Medicaid is servicing 100 individuals this year. Next year 50 more will be added, and another 50
in 2002. Once an individual has been assigned a TBI Waiver, it cannot be reassigned to another
individual under any circumstances and is lost should the original recipient ever not qualify or
refuse services. The waiver is to serve a population that numbers in the thousands. Remember, a
number of people greater than the entire population of Switzerland County endure a new brain
injury every year.
The reason that Indianas Medicaid policy, and the structure of the Medicaid TBI Waiver are
so important is that Medicaid is one of the primary sources of funding for services. This
importance is compounded by the fact that private insurance providers often follow Medicaids
lead in setting their own policies. Medicaid policy, either directly or indirectly, controls the
There are many adult children withbrain injuries being cared for by agingparents in this area. Many of theseindividuals are currently unable tosupport themselves.
There are not services, residential orotherwise, in our area to supervise these
people when family support runs out. Margaret Sak, OTR, South Bend
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lions share of funding. Most persons with moderate or severe brain injury can anticipate
eligibility for Medicaid with lack of employment. The availability of services ultimately hinges
on the funding mechanisms.
Respite CareIts not just babysitting, but skilled help
to care for people with special needs. Unfortunately, in
Indiana, qualified respite care is often unavailable for TBI
survivors at any price. An important theme in the public
meetings on service gaps has been Indianas lack of
appropriate respite care. Personal care attendants, as
authorized by the TBI Waiver policy, are inadequate; the
policy does not even require them to have a high school
diploma or a criminal background check.
Children caring for Indianas future: TBI is a leading cause of disability to children.
Less than 5 percent of children with brain injury are transferred from hospitals to rehabilitation
facilities. This is mainly due to the fact that children often have parents who can serve as their
caretakers. Many third party providers refuse to pay for rehabilitation services to children unless
they are non-ambulatory. They argue that the
educational system is responsible for providing
services.13 Typically, schools provide therapy and
rehabilitation services once a week and seldom
include behavioral or cognitive retraining.
In 1991, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act added traumatic brain injury as a
special education coding category. Last year the DOE Division of Special Education approved
438 of Indianas children to receive educational assistance under that category. With at least
1,186 new brain injuries occurring every year to children 18 and under, the Indiana educational
system has an estimated 14,232 students with brain injury. While many of these students
probably do not have a need for special education services, it is still clear that DOE is not
identifying the population and services needs adequately.
We dont have any help outside ofschool, as far as speech therapy,occupational therapy, physicaltherapy; its all done in school, one-half hour, once a week.
Melinda, speaking at the 4/25/00Indianapolis town meeting.
We dont have lives of ourown now Its been overtwo years since wevebeen out to eat, notwithout Tyler and foodbeing thrown across theroom.
Melinda, caretaker ofTyler, a Madison County child withshaken baby syndrome, speakingat the 4/25/00 town meeting.
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Professional and paraprofessional staff serving students with traumatic brain injury,
according to the DOE rules, shall receive specialized in-service training in this area. However,
because the DOE has no specific licensure14 for TBI, the specifics of providing this training
are left up to local school districts. The DOE does not
have a list of recommended providers of this training,
and it appears that the training never actually happens.
The majority of school age children and their
caretakers who responded to the survey gave low marks
to Indianas educational services for children with
disabilities. Some, however, did rate these services
highly. Perhaps this is due, at least in part, to differences
in training and administration in the various local school
systems.
To Make a Difference
Services for Hoosiers with brain injuries do not
follow a coherent plan. Programs, funding and state
agency leadership are just not adequate to the size of the
problem.
As part of a grant agreement with the ISDH/MCHS,
BIAI conducted a needs assessment survey of persons
with brain injury and their families. This survey
examines the gaps in service from the viewpoints of
consumers, families, professionals, service providers and
state agency personnel. Persons with brain injuries, their families and caregivers were surveyed
with printed forms. Service providers and other professionals were surveyed in focus groups.
General public input was gathered through four town meetings; one in South Bend, two in
Indianapolis, and one in New Albany. The resulting information should give policy makers the
tools to plan a more effective infrastructure for both state and private organizations to deliver
those services.
They [the schools] maintain thatthey dont have the necessarypersonnel, in many cases, to assistour clients. Our position is thatthey should hire the necessarypersonnel.
Donna Evans
Under the Education Act they arerequired to but, more often thannot, it becomes the burden of the
parents or guardians to always bein theredemanding testing,demanding services, demandingthat certain things happen in theeducation plan It can be an awfulburden on parents.
Nancy Smith-Fague, IndianaDepartment of Vocational Rehabilitation
It is a law but, most times I findthat, unless you are an advocateand you work real hard with them
and force them to hire somebodythat would help your child, it doesappear to me, in many cases thatthey dont have anybody
Donna Evans
Dialog at the 4/25/00 Indianapolis town meeting.
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1 Paraphrased from Brain Injury: The Time Has Come, October 1999, p. 2. Division of Developmental
Services, Department of Health and Human Services, 105 Pleasant Street, Concord, New Hampshire2 Adapted from The Costs and Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury,http://www.biai.org/costsand.htm 04/25/003Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States, The Center for Disease
Control, www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dacrrdp/tbi.htm4 The population of Switzerland County can be checked at http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/county/co-
99-1/99C1_18.txt5 1997 IHHA admissions records6Cancer Incidence in Indiana State and County Data 1995 (Published March 1999), Indiana State
Department of Health http://www.state.in.us/isdh/dataandstats/cancerinc/caninc95/caninc~1.htm 7HIV Disease Summary, Indiana State Department of Health, March 31, 2000.
http://www.state.in.us/isdh/dataandstats/epdem/2004/hiv.htm 8Summary of Trends in Reportable Diseases Five Year Totals: Indiana, 1994-1998,
http://www.state.in.us/isdh/dataandstats/disease/1998/sum_trends.htm 9 SeeLiving with Brain Injury: A Guide for Families, Richard C. Senelick, MD & Katy E. Ryan, MA, CCC-
SLP, ISBN1-891525-00-X10 See The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, April 2000, Articles on pp. 767-791.11US General Accounting Office Report to Congressional Requesters: Traumatic Brain Injury, Programs
Supporting Long Term Services in Selected States, Feb. 1998. Quoted in A Policy Analysis of the Texas Health
and Human Services Delivery System, March 1999, The Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board, p. 6.
[email protected] Considerations Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Robert J Fabiano & Julie
Daugherty,ATLA tbi, Spring 1999, pp. 5-15.13Indiana TBI Grant Project White Paper. p. B-414 Demaris Stewart, Education Consultant, IDOE/DSE. Phone conversation with Frank VanArsdall, 07/05/00.
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Data Analysis
Methodology of Survey Tools
The main objective of the Needs Assessment was to gather data on the needs of
Indiana residents who have suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as the needs of their
family members. In order to accomplish this goal, two separate measures, the Individual
with Brain Injury survey and the Family survey, were constructed with the assistance of a
committee of professionals and various other tools already in use around the United States.
Lay-Person Focus Groups
A series of focus groups to discuss the survey tools were held in November and
December of 1999. The groups were conducted in various locations across the state and
were comprised of 10 -12 persons, including both individuals with brain injury and family
members. The groups reviewed the assessment tools and provided much input regarding the
modification of the measures.
A focus group to discuss service gaps was held in November at Ball Memorial Hospital and
was attended by over 25 individuals with brain injury and family members. Service gaps and
barriers in Indiana were discussed for the duration of two hours. The results of this focus
group on service gaps were woven into the final survey tools. Survey tools utilized for
similar projects were perused and the Illinois Needs Assessment measure, constructed by
Allen Heinemann, Ph.D., of Northwestern University, was utilized as a model for the Indiana
survey. The Individual with Brain Injury survey was an eight-page instrument that included
questions assessing demographic characteristics, injury characteristics, education and
employment experiences, daily activities, substance use, needs and service evaluation, and
life satisfaction.
The Family survey incorporated the same items as the Individual with Brain Injury
survey with the addition of a Family Needs Questionnaire, created by Jeffrey Kreutzer,
Ph.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University. The Family survey was a ten-page instrument
that included correlating questions from the Individual with Brain Injury survey as well as
questions to ascertain the demographic characteristics of the family respondent.
Multiple versions of the assessment tools were reviewed in great detail to ensure
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optimal question construction. The Project Design subcommittee met on various occasions
during a four-month period to offer assistance on the format and content of the survey
questions and to edit revisions of various surveys.
The study was divided into two major phases: (a) instrument modification and pilot,
and (b) actual administration of assessment tools. Several pilot studies were conducted to
examine current item content and structure and assess its suitability for use with individuals
with TBI and their families. An evaluation of the ease of administration and item clarity was
also assessed. The final versions of the tools were administered to Indiana residents March
through April 2000.
Data Collection
One Survivor Survey and one Family Survey were sent to 801 addresses that where
known to have persons with brain injury or family members of persons with brain injury.
Another 300 surveys were distributed to professionals around the state to pass out to persons
with brain injury (PBI) and/or family members or caretakers (FM). Surveys were returned
by 463 individuals.
Results
The split between PBI and FM was nearly 50% at 231 and 232 surveys respectively.
The breakdown of surveys returned by FM is below:
Surveys Returned by Family Members Only
Relationship to Brain Injury
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Spouse Parent Sibling Child Other
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The average age of individuals returning the FM Surveys was 51.5, and 62% live with
a PBI. A majority (75%) of the FM Surveys indicate the respondent provides daily care
ranging from less than one hour to more than eight hours. Those providing daily care had
the average age was 50 (mode of 46; median of 50) with a range from 21 to 80 years old. Of
those providing daily care over 80 percent were female.
The back section of the Family Survey was identical to the Person with Brain Injury
Survey, allowing the Family member to report information about the person with brain
injurys situation.
Of the surveys returned by persons with brain injury (PBI) 60 percent were completed
by only the PBI, 20 percent were completed by the PBI and a parent, and 7 percent by the
PBI and their spouse. The remaining surveys were completed by the PBI and other family
members or caregivers.
Indiana County Representation
The surveys returned indicated that information gathered represented PBI in sixty-
four Indiana counties (70%). The largest percentage was from Marion county (18%). Other
counties represented include: Lake county (7%), Vanderburgh county (7%), and Tippecanoe
county (4%). St. Joseph, Clark, Hamilton, Allen, and Howard counties each represent
roughly 3% of the sample. Each of the remaining counties (55) represent 2% or less of the
sample.
Caregivers Who Provide Daily Care
010
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Parent Spouse Child/Sibling Other
8+ hrs
1 - 8 hrs
< 1 hour
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A Snapshot of Persons with Brain Injury in Indiana
The respondents indicated that the majority of the PBI (61%) were male and
Caucasian (98%) with the average age of 38 years old. Information was returned for PBI in
age ranging from 6 years old to 77 years old. Most of the PBI had only one brain injury, but
11.5 percent reported having received two or more brain injuries. The majority (80%) also
reported receiving all of their care in Indiana.
PBI by Current Age
32
108115
104
70
29
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
20 or < 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 50 51 - 60 61+
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Of those who responded, the majority appeared to have moderate to severe injuries
(defined only by length of coma).
The majority of the individuals were injured by automobile crashes (49%) with falls
representing the second largest group (10%). Of the 322 individuals receiving their injury
via an automobile crash, 44 percent of the injuries occurred in the last ten years. Of those in
automobile crashes, only 12% reporting wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Length of Unconsciousness
67
33 33 22
52
107
149
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Unkn
own
NotU
ncon
scious
Unconscio
us30da
ys
#o
fRespondents
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Other reported causes of brain injuries from the survey respondents are listed below:
Relationships
The largest group of PBI are single, never married (195), with the second largest
group that of PBI who are married or living with a partner (180). Another 75 are divorced, 7
are separated, and 6 are widowed. The largest majority (33%) live with their spouse, 25
percent live with their parents, and 17 percent live alone.
Cause of Injury by Decade of Injury
Excluding MVA
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Motorcycle
Other Vehicle or
Pedistrian
Bicycle
Sports or NearDrownings
Falls
Assault, Abuse or
Gunshot
Disease, Tumor, Stroke
or Anoxia
Other
1979 or earlier 1980 - 1989 1990 - 2000
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Respondents indicated that over 84% of PBI live in private residences. The table
below demonstrates the living environments of the remaining PBI broken down by age:
Independent Living Skills
Living independently requires basic skills for any individual. The respondents
indicated that more than 78 percent of PBI are independent in personal care areas and
walking on flat surfaces. Slightly less (65%) are independent in cooking.
Education
Most of the PBI had highest level of education completed was high school (51%). In
addition, 7 percent had completed vocational/trade school, 9 percent hold an Associate
degree, and 18 percent hold a Bachelors degree or higher.
The second largest group (14%) were those who either were still in school or who had
not completed high school. The question did not distinguish between individuals who were
still in school and those who had dropped out.Since receiving a brain injury, 179 of the respondents reported the PBI have attended
school. Currently, 50 of the PBI are currently enrolled in school. The majority of those (32)
are enrolled in post-high school classes, while 18 are in high school, middle school or
elementary school. It was reported that 224 PBI needed special education services, but only
PBI Living in Non-Private Residence by Age
01
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Assisted Living Transitional
Facility
Nursing Home Other
Under 18
18 - 29
30 - 39
40 - 49
50 - 59
60+
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60 percent reported receiving assistance.
Other issues surrounding returning to school were queried in the survey. Charted
below are the questions and responses received.
If he/she (PBI) is currently in school, what does
he/she need to succeed in school?
Needs
Help to
Succeed
Does Not
Need
Help
Help with homework 35 35
Special School for students with disabilities 17 51
Special education because of the brain injury 31 38
Planning for life after high school 28 41
Guidance counseling for academic and
aaaaa vocational plans
38 31
Completing assignments on time 36 35
Employment and Income
When asked about employment in the last month, 34 percent indicated that the PBI
was not working, nor seeking employment. 18 percent indicated retirement due to age or
disability, 15 percent indicated part-time employment, and 10 percent indicated the PBI was
employed full-time. Another 10 percent indicated the PBI was seeking employment.
Source of Income for PBI in Indiana
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Employment Mate or Family Financial
Settlement
Social Security,
pension,
workers' comp
Medicaid
Waiver
Public
Assistance
Other
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Persons with brain injury receive income from a variety of sources. Many PBI
receive income from several sources. The charge below details how PBI receive income
from multiple sources.
Transportation
Of PBI whom the survey reported to be age 16 or over, 224 reported the PBI drives.
It is of some interest that not everyone reported to drive holds a valid drivers license, nor did
everyone who reported holding a valid drivers license actually drive.
Below is a chart of how individuals travel in the community to take care of every day
errands. Family and/or friends are the sole means of transportation for the PBI 20 percent of
the time for Work/Volunteering; 40 percent of the time for Medical Appointments; 32
percent of the time for Daily Activities (bank, post office, grocery); and 39 percent of the
time for Social Activities. The numbers are even higher if you consider that 19 percent of all
respondents indicated multiple methods are used for travel.
Needs of Persons with Brain Injury in Indiana
Seven out of 27 areas surveyed for level of assistance demonstrate 50 percent or
higher of PBI still need assistance. Those areas in order of highest need are: 1) improving
Current Transportation Methods of PBI
0 100 200 300 400 500
Work
Volunteering
Medical
Appt.
Daily
Activities
Social
ActivitiesDrive Self
Family/Friends
Public Transport
Taxi
Ambulance/Medicab
Walk
Multiple Methods
Other
Do Not Travel
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memory, solving problems better; 2) expressing needs, understanding others; 3) managing
stress, emotional upsets; 4) improving his/her job skills; 5) improving mood; 6) finding
places and opportunities to socialize with others; 7) increasing his/her income.
In contrast there were no areas scoring less than 10% needing assistance. The lowest
was help caring for children which was at 10.87 percent. PBI are receiving the most
assistance in traveling in the community (20.37%) and in managing money, paying bills
(20.19%)
Area of Need#
Responding% ReceivingAssistance
% NeedingAssistance
Improving memory, solving problems better 427 12.88 79.39
Expressing needs, understanding others 427 14.52 72.83
Managing stress, emotional upsets 426 11.50 69.01
Improving mood 424 12.97 68.87
Improving his/her job skills 405 9.38 66.17
Increasing his/her income 402 7.71 62.44
Finding places and opportunities to socialize with others 425 6.32 61.14
Improving health 423 15.60 58.39
Controlling temper 388 12.11 55.92
Managing money, paying bills 416 20.19 55.77
Feeling part of the community 417 8.39 55.04
Coordinating the services received 410 16.34 54.88
Participating in sports and recreation 413 6.30 51.34
Fulfilling needs for intimacy 389 4.63 50.39
Receiving additional education 407 6.63 49.14
Finding paid employment 402 6.47 48.72
Increasing independence in housekeeping, cooking 416 10.10 46.16Traveling in the community 432 20.37 44.21
Increasing independence in walking, lifting, balancing 419 10.02 40.09
Participating in religious services or spiritual programs 415 13.25 34.94
Obtaining equipment such as wheelchairs, computers, etc. 417 8.63 34.53Finding housing that is Affordable and accessible 411 6.08 33.09
Obtaining personal care attendant/ assistant services 406 10.34 31.77
Increasing independence in eating, dressing, bath, etc. 426 12.21 30.75Controlling alcohol and/or drug use 399 1.75 14.03
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Life Changes for Persons with Brain Injury
It is clear from the respondents that brain injury changes life for persons with brain
injury. The majority (69%) reported that brain injury impacted life by making activities
more difficult or impossible. There was no significant difference in responses given by FM
or PBI.
When specifically asked about change with relationships with select individuals
responses are below. A large group (212) of PBI have received counseling on issues related
to relationships.
Alcohol use
Siblings, friends, children, and PBI did not report a significant need for controlling
alcohol use in individual with TBI. Fifteen percent of parents reported that the PBI does not
need help controlling alcohol, and only 4% reported needing help. Spouses reported that
12% do not need help, while 2% reported that they do. Survivor only reports indicate that
26% believe they do not need help, while 1% report that they do.
Service Delivery Evaluation
The respondents were asked to evaluate various services on a 5-point Likert scale,
with responses ranging from 1' (strongly agree) to 5' (strongly disagree). Areas of services
that were evaluated included: timeliness, dependability, capability, and accessibility. The
Quality of Life Change for PBI in Specified Areas
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
For Worse For Better No Change
Living situation
Relations with others
Relations with other familymembers
Relations with spouse orsignificant other
Relations with friends
Medical health
Employment situation
Psychological well-being
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average response was neutral or 3', indicating that most respondents did not express strong
views regarding the delivery of services. The services that most respondents seemed most
satisfied with include: Social Security, Brain Injury Association of Indiana, and
Rehabilitation Services. On average, respondents report Social Security as capable/skilled at
providing services. Housing, transportation and Independent Living Centers services
received the most negative responses in general, indicating that most respondents were not
satisfied with the timeliness, dependability, capability, or accessibility of such services. A
breakdown of responses is shown on the next pages.
On average, 56% of family members who responded report that they were not aware
that such services were available when most needed, while 57% of Survivors, who reported
for themselves, also indicate that they were not aware of these services.
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1.00 2.00 3.00 4.0
SD D N A
Accessible
Capable
Dependable
Timely
Area
Service Delivery
BIAI Rehab Services Medicare/Medicaid Social Security Nursing Homes Home Health Educa
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Professional Focus Groups
One of the requirements of the grant was to survey various professionals from
throughout the state who provide services to individuals with brain injury regarding service
gaps that affect individuals with brain injury. Eight Professional Focus Groups were held
around the state in nine cities of various sizes. Each focus group consisted of 10 -16
professionals who provided services or programs to persons with brain injury. Each focus
group lasted for approximately two hours.
Each meeting began with an introduction to the Grant and a Brain Injury Knowledge
Quiz influenced by the work of Janet Tyler, Ph.D. of the University of Kansas. The quiz was
collected and answer keys disseminated. Following the quiz, a discussion proceeded in an
orderly fashion beginning with identifying gaps in services within the local area and
progressing toward identifying gaps statewide. The professionals were also asked to provide
potential solutions to the problems addressed within the discussion.
The analyses of the professional focus groups indicate that seven common issues were
identified as gaps in the state of Indiana, each representing a challenge to providing
comprehensive services for individuals with brain injury.
To begin, lack of funding was reported by all groups as the major challenge to the
accessibility and availability of services. Individuals have difficulty accessing services as
insurance companies do not adequately provide funding and providers are often forced to
close their doors due to a lack of reimbursement or financial support for services provided.
The inefficiency in the continuity of services resulting in a poorly structured
continuum of care is perceived to be a significant challenge in Indiana. Many professionals
report difficulties in collaboration with other service providers that may be attributed to a
lack of communication or lack of knowledge of various organizations and programs
available. Service providers of rural areas indicated that the lack of transportation in their
area might contribute to the inability to access services and therefore, interrupt the continuity
of services. Most participants agreed that a system for follow-up care should be
implemented to ensure the continuity of services while others proposed the creation of a
comprehensive care facility to provide the complete spectrum of services.
Another gap in services voiced by the groups is the lack of a centralized agency to
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provide information and integrate services for brain injury. Such an agency may serve to
provide access to information to families and professionals regarding needs and resources
available in the state as well as help to coordinate services without a conflict of interest.
Coordination of services was identified as lacking within and between various service
providers. It is also hypothesized that the creation of a centralized agency may facilitate
seamless care along the service continuum.
Most communities identified a lack of education as a major gap in Indiana. Most
groups identified a need for education about brain injury for families, professionals, school
personnel, insurance companies and other funding providers, as well as the general public.
Most professionals agree that most service delivery systems lack the knowledge and training
to serve this population. Education was also identified as a major means of prevention and
most groups agreed that education on brain injury must be mandated by the government in
order to ensure that school age children are exposed to such information as helmet safety, the
use of seatbelts, and consequences of brain injury.
Other major gaps identified in Indiana include the lack of the following services (a)
post acute long term care, (b) independent supervised living centers devoted to the care of the
brain injured patient, and (c) pediatric rehabilitation services, including school support
services. Such services are rare or non-existent in the state of Indiana, though much energy
is currently being directed toward remedying these challenges.
Regional Town Meetings
A series of four town meetings were held as part of the needs assessment survey. The
general public was invited to discuss their needs and concerns regarding brain injury. These
meetings; one in South Bend, two in Indianapolis, and one in New Albany, gathered public
input from a wide cross-section of Hoosiers.
At each meeting, a panel of government agency officials and service delivery
professionals were invited to discuss these concerns in a give-and-take session with the
audience. Within each audience were persons with brain injuries, family members, and
concerned professionals including nurses, neuropsychologists, occupational therapists,
college students, a state legislator, and representatives from local and federal office-holders.
The resulting dialog gave a revealing look at Indianas current system of service delivery.
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The meetings were publicized through a combination of press releases, advertising (in
smaller newspapers and in The Fax Daily), radio public service announcements, and
invitations to persons on the BIAIs mailing list. The University of Indianapolis Office of
University Relations provided some assistance with contacting the news media.
Audience participation ranged from 35 to 45 individuals per meeting. Each panel
consisted of four to six participants and a moderator. Panel members at each meeting were:
1) Indianapolis #1 04/25/00
Donna Evans, Indiana Medicare TBI Waiver Program
Karen May, RN, CRRN, Brain Injury Association (national) Board of Directors
Robert Meeks, Indiana State Senate, R-Kendallville
William Schmidt, CEO (at that time), Health South Hospital of Terre Haute
Nancy Smith-Fague, Indiana Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Moderator: Thomas Doehrman, Esq. Attorney
2) South Bend 05/08/00
David Haluda, Indiana Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Marie Reimers, CICOA
Lonnie Douglas, South Bend Commission on Human Rights
Karen May, RN, CRRN, Brain Injury Association (national) Board of Directors
Margaret Sak, OTR, Clinical Manager South Bend Memorial Hospital
Moderator: Thomas Doehrman, Esq. Attorney
3) New Albany 05/10/00
Ramona Miller, Area 14 AACS, Lifespan Resources, Inc.
Kevin Blevins, Division of Aging and Rehabilitation Services.Mary Haas, President, the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky.
Karen May, RN, CRRN, Brain Injury Association (national) Board of Directors
Moderator: Penny Lewis, CEO & President, BIAI.
4) Indianapolis #2 06/15/00
Charlotte Steidom, CICOA
Doug Bebee, Indiana Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Demaris Stewart, Indiana DOE Special Education consultant
Donna White, IndyGo, ADA service representative
Rama Rothe, Center for Comprehensive Services, Carbondale, IL.
Nancy Ford-Winters, Advocate, Social Security Disability issues
Moderator: Bill Schmitt, Administrator, Health South Surgery Center
Each meeting began with a presentation, using Microsoft PowerPoint, of facts and
statistics on brain injury in Indiana by Penny Lewis. Following this the moderator would
open the floor for questions and comments from the audience. Videotapes were made of each
meeting. Still photographs and audiocassette recordings supplemented these. In some
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instances, follow-up interviews were conducted with audience members.
Expressed Concerns
1. Funding of services. The majority of concerns fit under this broad category. Some of
them were:
a. Disparity between Medicaid reimbursement rates for in state and out of state
services.
b. Inadequacy of Medicaid rate for long term needs.
c. Impact of the Medicaid rate on the existence of service providers.
d. Small number of Medicaid TBI Waiver slots funded
2. Availability of services regardless of funding:
a. Respite care
b. Transportation
c. Long term care facilities
d. Residential facilities
3. Case Management
4. Coordination of services/ single point of entry for government services
5. Unavailability of information about brain injury to survivors and families
6. Lack of appropriate special education and rehabilitation services for children with
brain injuries in the school system.
Gender:65%male
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Summary
Comparison with Other Studies
In order to feel comfortable with the collected data and outcomes, the data was compared
to similar data from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data Center
(TBIMS), and other needs assessments completed under similar grants from Iowa,
Oklahoma, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Due to
difference in data collection instruments, direct comparison was not always available.
When comparing the findings of this Needs Assessment to the Traumatic Brain Injury
Model Systems National Data Center (TBIMS) the average age of PBI was similar (38 years
to 36 years respectively) with the range for other states from 27 to 33 years of age. The
breakdown of gender was also similar (male 61 and 75 percent respectively). The range from
other states was from 52 to 69 percent male.
Minority participation was disappointing in all studies with the exceptions being TBIMS
which was able to initiate data collection, and Iowa which has a low minority population
overall.
In regard to cause of injury, motor vehicle crashes the primary cause of injury in all
studies, responsible for 53 percent in Indiana and between 33 and 65 percent in other states.
All studies related many of the cases to lack of safety devices (seat belts, motorcycle
helmets). Alcohol and drugs also played a role in these incidents. Falls are almost always the
second most common cause of injury. Indianas rate of 10 percent turns out to be the most
frequently observed rate.
The Texas, Wisconsin, and West Virginia studies tend to support Indianas findings that
most PBI live with family members and depend on them for support. Differences in methods
of collecting and presenting data, however, make direct comparisons difficult.
The Center for Disease Control calls brain injury the silent epidemic. This is true not
only in the nation, but in Indiana. Traumatic brain injury in Indiana has an incident rate of
149 per 100,000 Hoosiers. This includes only those PBI who required overnight
hospitalization. The number would be significantly larger if there was a means to collect
data from emergency rooms, physicians offices, and clinics. To add perspective, the
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incident rate of breast cancer is 55 per 100,000 Hoosiers, and the rate of AIDS/HIV is 9 per
100,000.
Looking at per capita, the Indiana counties with the most residents admitted to Indiana
hospitals for brain injury are Vermillion, Morgan, Parke, Knox, Lake, Warren, Pike,
Montgomery, Greene, and Davies. When compared to the data received in the Needs
Assessment, 10 percent of all respondents were from these counties.
There are limitations to this study including the pool of people surveyed was not a
random sample of Indiana, and the survey tool was not validated, but is similar to other tools
that have been validated. A second limitation that needs to be noted is that the majority (55
percent) of the PBI were unconscious greater than one week. Only 14 percent reported either
not being unconscious or being unconscious for less than 20 minutes. This limits the studies
ability to address the needs of PBI who had mild injuries. In addition, a small portion of the
respondents have acquired brain injury (i.e. stroke, disease), but not traumatic brain injury.
Regardless of how the brain injury occurred, the deficits that follow are similar.
Taking into account the above comparisons, the Indiana Needs Assessments appears to be
a valid and reliable survey of the brain injured population in Indiana. Overall, the data
collected demographically appears to be similar to that of other states that have completed
Needs Assessments through federal grants. In addition, the general population of the Indiana
Needs Assessments aligns closely with that of the TBIMS.
Indiana Needs Assessment
The Needs Assessment and Indiana records of hospital admissions both support the idea
that brain injury affects the core of society. Many are children, just starting to explore life,
but an even larger number are young adultspeople from the backbone of our economy,
people who are often trying to start families of their own. Young men 19 to 34 years of age
are the hardest hit of all Hoosiers they alone make up 16 percent of all hospital admissions
for TBI in 1997. In looking at the Needs Assessment, over one-third of survey respondents
reported that the PBI was a student at the time of injury. This particular group of PBI has a
variety of needs, but community re-integration tops the list. Returning these individuals to
gainful employment so that they can live independently within the community is critical.
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Another group of people that are particularly vulnerable to brain injury are aging
Hoosiers. Women 65 years and older have the second highest rate of hospitalization due to
TBI. (1997). This particular group did not show up in the expected numbers in the Needs
Assessment (3.02 percent), and it is unclear why they were not surveyed, although there
could be several reasons. The reasons might include lack of referral for community supports
due to institutional referral (lack of insurance or age discrimination) or higher mortality rates.
As the aging population increases and expects more from life during the later years in life, it
is important that individuals, regardless of age, be returned to the community rather than
institutionalized.
Another overlooked group involves aging women as well. The majority of caregivers are
women, and the Needs Assessment demonstrated that an average age of 50 (mode 49; median
50) providing daily care. Combine this with the fact that family provides the majority of
transportation for PBI (again, assume it is the female caregiver) and assists with monitoring
health, coordinating services, managing money, and paying bills a serious problem begins to
visualize. As the population of the PBI ages, so will the caregiver. Who will provide the
daily care, transportation, coordinating services, and money management when the current
caregiver (parent or spouse) is no longer able or available? What will become of this aging
population of PBI institutionalization, incarceration, or homelessness?
The Needs Assessment supports the wide spread perception that Indianas current system
of services does not and cannot meet the needs of this growing population. The stories of
unmet needs remain consistent from survivors, families, service providers, medical
professionals and state officials.
More specifically, over 50 percent of Hoosiers with brain injury surveyed report that they
need assistance in fourteen key areas. These key areas can be broken down into four general
areas: Cognitive Therapy or Training; Socialization; Employment; and Medical.
Cognitive Therapy. Most of the unmet needs reported involve cognitive skills, without
which day-to-day life becomes chaos, not only for the injured persons, but also for those who
are close to them. This need is compounded when you consider that most of these were active
young men before their injuries. Difficulty with cognitive issues (memory/learning) impacts
every day from remembering to turn off the stove, to learning a new telephone number. It
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impacts home, work, and play. Often cognitive issues impair a person's ability to live alone,
work without support systems, drive, socialize, and coordinate available services. This need
tops the list of needs with over 79 percent of respondents stating they require assistance in
this area, with only about 12 percent actually receiving assistance. If you add to this those
who need assistance with housekeeping, cooking (46 percent requiring/10 percent receiving),
and those who need assistance with daily skills such as eating, dressing, and bathing (30
percent requiring/12 percent receiving) you will see the picture expand from a portrait to a
landscape.
The most likely reason that so few are receiving assistance is the lack of funding rather
than lack of programs. Medicaid does not pay for cognitive therapy, and this is important to
note since most individuals will either lose their insurance when they become unemployed or
cap out private insurance and require Medicaid.
Socialization. Following a brain injury it is often stated that the person is not the same.
Due to this change in personality and cognitive abilities previous friends and acquaintances
distance themselves. This is true for the family as well. Combine this with lack of
employment, which provides a natural place to socialize the individual and family become
isolated. Often the PBI develops mood swings, inappropriate social behaviors, anger, and
frustration. This leads to serious needs including assistance with communication, and social
skills via counseling. Those reporting indicated less than 15 percent are receiving assistance,
while as many as 72 percent expressed need in these areas.
Many of those responding desired a spouse (more specifically a wife) or a significant
person in their life. A majority (42 percent) reported being single, never married and nearly
18 percent reported being divorced or separated.
For those who are married either at the time of injury or following injury, the stress
placed on a spouse to support the family, run the household, and provide care for the PBI is
significant. Not only a lack of funds, but also a lack of time to receive counseling becomes
an issue. Finding affordable and quality providers of respite care is difficult in rural Indiana.
While BIAI support groups provide peer support, professional support and respite are both
missing puzzle pieces. Combine this with the information about aging caregivers, and you
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find out that not only are caregivers aging, they are also experiencing burnout in record
numbers.
The gap in those who need assistance and those who are receiving assistance could be
attributed to many factors, not the least being unawareness of injury on the PBIs part.
Funding may also be a stumbling block as well as the stigma with receiving psychological
assistance. From the knowledge quiz given (average score of 60 percent) during the
Professional Focus Groups it is evident that even if a PBI attempted to receive counseling, it
would be doubtful the professional providing the service would be knowledgeable in issues
surrounding brain injury.
Employment. Returning to work can create a variety of issues for both the PBI and their
employers. Even in mild brain injury memory, executive functioning skills (planning,
organizing, initiating), and fatigue can make returning to work difficult. Many individuals
cannot return to the previous career, and lack of memory or lessened cognitive ability makes
learning new job skills timely and tedious, often requiring job carving, job coaching, and
supportive employment programs.
Add to this the issues of inappropriate social behavior and transportation difficulties, the
stumbling block to self-sufficiency becomes apparent. But the number desiring paid
employment is great (over 48 percent). Often long-term memory is left intact with memories
of past success, self-worth, and confidence driving the PBI to find employment. Over 62
percent reported needing assistance in improving job skills and increasing income. The wide
gap between what was and what is causes additional emotional distress.
While Vocational Rehabilitation attempts to provide services, the fact is there is no
funding for long-term supportive employment for PBI. Funding is available for other
specific groups, but brain injury is excluded. In addition, Vocational Rehabilitation has to
triage individuals to stretch limited funding, and the result often leaves persons with
cognitive issues out of the service loop. Since many PBI has no physical issues, they can fall
through the cracks if a case manager or family member is not available to discuss the
cognitive issues associated with brain injury with the rehabilitation counselor. Self-advocacy
is very difficult for PBI, who may actually be unaware of their deficits (imagine forgetting
that you have a brain injury it happens).
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Along with employment is income. It was somewhat disappointing that less than 9
percent of PBI received a financial settlement considering that 49 percent were injured in
motor vehicle crashes. Not surprisingly, nearly 300 of reporting individuals receive SSDI,
SSI or Workers Comp. What is surprising is that less than 50 of those individuals are
receiving public assistance such as food stamps. This has to be attributed to lack of
information rather than individuals not meeting qualifications since they are qualified for
SSDI or SSI.
Medical Issues. Improving and maintaining health is easier when someone remembers to
take prescriptions, make appointments, and initiate exercise and diet routines. It is also
apparent that initially physical and occupational therapy is provided, when progress becomes
limited it is discontinued. Often therapies are required for maintaining current levels, even if
not reaching new goals. Research has shown that PBI can make progress even 10 to 15 years
post injury. Unfortunately insurance providers only provide for defined progress and not
maintenance. Without maintenance, the backward slide begins. Over 58 percent report
needing assistance with improving health, and another 34 percent report needing assistance
with obtaining equipment such as wheelchairs. Stretching medical care to include personal
care attendant/assistant services you find that over 31 percent need assistance (only 10
percent receiving).
Other Areas of Concern
Living Arrangements: Adults typically do not desire to live with strangers or unrelated
individuals. Adults tend to live with a spouse/significant other or alone. There is no reason
to believe that PBI desire to live in any other manner, yet 16 percent live in group homes,
nursing homes, or other institutional type facilities. In addition, another 25 percent live with
their parents. Only 50 percent of the PBI live with a spouse or on their own.
Education: Of the 224 PBI reporting a need for special education services, only 60
percent reported receiving such services. The majority of those reporting required assistance
in planning for after school and assistance with homework. The majority of individuals rated
Education Services between no opinion to dissatisfied. This mostly can be attributed to
the differences between school systems, as some rated very high and others very low. It is
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clear that more information needs to be supplied to all teachers to assess students needs and
assist with developing successful IEPs.
Transportation: This is another area where some parts of Indiana rated very high and
others very low with an overall view being similar to Educational Services. Returning to the
community and living independently requires the ability to drive or use other means with
relative ease. In Indiana, the lack of quality public transportation around the state is a
problem not only for PBI, but for anyone who does not have access to a car and/or a drivers
license. Again, the caregiver/family member is picking up the load in providing
transportation for every area of life for the PBI. There is not an easy solution to this problem,
except to say providing transportation would be much less taxing on the parent/spouse if they
did not also have to provide coordination of services, managing money, overseeing daily care
and a variety of other tasks.
Alcohol & Drug Use: The sample reported very little need for assistance with this
particular area, which is contrary to the other states reports. One thought on the reasons for
such a low number, is denial on both the PBI and familys part. This is one area where
assistance is available around the state, and most insurance, including Medicaid, is willing to
consider covered.
Areas of Service: Respondents were asked to rate various services on the ability to
provide services (see chart on page 27). What was interesting is the fact that over 56 percent
of respondents were not aware of such services when they needed them most. As for who
finally shared with them information about services it was Family/Friends (21.82 percent)
and Social Worker (22.68 percent). It was surprising that doctors and or nurses provided
referral information less than 9 percent of the time. All other professions (i.e. attorney, case
manager, minister, etc.) provided the information less than 5 percent of the time.
Professional Focus Groups: The general consensus was new funding mechanisms must be
developed in order for Hoosiers to have adequate and accessible services. There is general
agreement that the state legislature needs to work on such a mechanism to harness public and
private sources of funds. Lack of information and direction to available resources is also a
critical problem for Hoosiers with brain injury, their families and service providers. Families
need to know, beginning at the hospital, where to turn for help, how to access the services
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and sources of financial assistance that are available. The professionals are even unsure
where to send families or how to access the programs that are available.
Prevention: Changing the view of those in Indiana on prevention is critical. Over 49
percent of those injured were injured in automobile accidents. Recent legislation (Primary
Seatbelt Law and Graduated Licensing) should affect the numbers of severe injuries in
Indiana. Several other areas still remain frontiers in the prevention field such as helmet usage
(both motorcycle and bicycle) which account for 7 percent of the overall cause of brain injury
in the respondents. Other types of vehicles including ATVs account for an additional 12
percent. If you include pedestrians the total number of those reporting receiving a brain
injury via a vehicle crash (regardless of type) the total exceeds 73 percent of injuries. This
large number of individuals receiving injuries via vehicle crashes should not crowd out other
means of receiving brain injury that are growing in numbers, including violence (assault,
abuse, gunshots) and sports injuries (soccer, football, boxing).
While some motor vehicle issues must be addressed legislatively, it is clear that general
education is needed in prevention with the elderly, adults, teens and children. These
prevention programs must cover all areas such as falls, sports, violence, helmets, and motor
vehicles.
Planning for the Future
Hoosiers support every effort to save life, but with brain injury that is only the first stage.
Hard questions that rise from the act of saving a life still remain. Necessary services and
supports must be available to allow persons with brain injury and their families to be active
in the community and exercise control over their life.
Every fifty minutes a Hoosier is hospitalized for brain injury. He or she may deal with the
effects for weeks, months, or an entire lifetime. The injury will reach out and touch the
family, friends, employers, and neighbors. Children will be overlooked while parents
provide care for another child. Teens will keep friends at an arms length for fear they will
meet their sibling or parent who has a brain injury. Spouses will make difficult decisions
because the person who came home from the hospital is not the same person who was at the
wedding alter. Parents will quit jobs, and become caregivers who wear themselves out and
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drain their resources to provide for adult children with brain injuries, and worry day after day
about what will happen when they can no longer provide care for their child.
Not every challenge faced by those affected by brain injury can be addressed, but it is
clear, burdens can be relieved.
Suggested Strategic Plan
1. A Single Point of Entry for Government Provided Services Regardless of what hospitalor physician provides service, individuals with brain injury need to know what services
and programs are available (rehabilitative, cognitive, emotional, residential, vocational,
transportation, etc.). There should be one phone number to call for information or referral
to ease entry to the system of services and supports which may apply to individuals with
brain injury. The challenge of just finding out what is available overwhelms many people
who have never required public monies or ser