Alberta Brain Injury Network (ABIN)

The St. Paul Abilities Network and Alberta Community Development have partnered together to provide support and coordination of services to adult survivors of acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families in the Northeast region of Alberta. Our aim is to gain insight into the needs of adults with ABI, maximize the use of existing services and identify and advocate for needed resources in the region.

ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

Many things can damage the brain. Not all brain injuries are acquired brain injuries. To be an acquired brain injury the survivor must have hurt their brain during his/her lifetime. They cannot be injured at birth. Also, the damage must be the result of an injury or an illness, but not an illness that gets worse with time, like Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis.

EXAMPLES OF ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY INCLUDE
 

Traumatic brain injury, like a blow to the head or hitting one’s head Brain tumors Brain infections, like meningitis and encephalitis Lack of oxygen, like when someone almost drowns Strokes, tumors Metabolic disorders such as liver or kidney disease Some whiplash injuries

ALBERTA BRAIN INJURY SURVIVAL GUIDE

This guide is a resource for adults with acquired brain injury and their families. The survival guide provides basic information about ABI and lists resources available in Alberta. The survival guide is available to all adult survivors of brain injury as well as to community resource agencies. A copy of the guide is available by calling (780) 645-3441 and asking to speak to an ABIN service coordinator. The guide can also be accessed from the website www.seniors.gov.ab.ca and www.brainresource.ca.

COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION PROCESS

The meetings provide survivors, family members, professionals and various community agencies a chance to meet to determine what resources exist in their community, what services are lacking and where they would like to see the Network go in the future. For more information on these meetings or this process, please contact the ABIN service coordinators at (780) 645-3441.

SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

Alberta Community Development has awarded contracts to community based agencies to provide Supports for Community Living. These supports will provide assistance to survivors for up to 10 hours per week to enhance the development of daily living skills and promote greater independence.

ALBERTA CAREGIVER COLLEGE

ABIN Service coordinators have participated in a training course through the Alberta Caregiver College. The training enables service coordinators to facilitate onsite training to family/caregivers and to assist them in meeting the needs of adults with an acquired brain injury.