BIAIA Press Release: Workshop for caregivers, families, January 30 in Council Bluffs

Currently, more than 95,000 Iowans live with a long-term disability due to an acquired brain injury. Recovery following a brain injury is an intense and difficult experience for survivors, requiring understanding and acceptance of resulting disabilities, along with new expectations for quality of life and self-fulfillment. Family members, who most often serve as caregivers and assume supportive roles, embark on a similar journey. Caregiving for an individual with a brain injury is a unique experience because, unlike caregivers of people with chronic conditions such as cancer or heart disease, these caregivers find themselves suddenly thrown into the caregiving role while at the same time they are facing direct loss and grief.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa (BIAIA) offers information and support to individuals with brain injury and their caregivers to provide hope and healing after brain injury.

In addition to supporting several support groups (with regular, in-person meetings, through virtual interactive webinars, and on Facebook) for survivors and family members throughout the state, BIAIA is offering an afternoon workshop for caregivers, entitled “Finding your way: Supporting Families affected by Brain Injury” on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm at The Center in Council Bluffs. The workshop is open to anyone affected by brain injury. The workshop is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Registration is available HERE, by emailing info@biaia.org, or by phone at 319-466-7455.

Keynote speaker Ruth Hamlin, a nationally known writer, consultant, caregiving expert, speaker, and author, will present “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” an educational, “self-health” program for friends or relatives serving as caregivers for an individual with a chronic illness or disability.

The workshop will also include presentations on cognitive and behavioral changes after brain injury, advocacy and supports for families, and preventing falls.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all BIAIA-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact BIAIA in advance at 319-466-7455 or by email at info@biaia.org.