For many suffering a brain injury, recovery involves weeks to months of hospital care, time away from home, traumatic experiences, lack of independence, and pain. This extensive journey can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and loss of identity. Our presentation will take a look at what self-care looks like from different rehabilitation disciplines and the importance of incorporating it into the care of post-brain injury patients to combat the negative emotional side effects of a brain injury. Specifically, our presentation will discuss a case review of a stroke survivor in an acute inpatient rehabilitation center and how an interdisciplinary self-care approach leads to increased participation and positive outcomes. Approaches used by the unit’s Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Nursing Staff, and Occupational Therapist will be discussed.

Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss common emotional challenges associated with brain injury.
2. Discuss treatments to use that focus on incorporating self-care into brain injury rehabilitation.
3. Discuss the importance of interdisciplinary care and communication in the treatment of brain injury patients.