Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI Ireland ) is calling on family carers caring for and supporting someone with an acquired brain injury (ABI ) to attend a training programme which will be held in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar. The training programme will commence on Tuesday February 1 and will run for six Tuesday mornings during February and March. Attendance is free but numbers are limited, so those interested in attending should register their interest with ABI Ireland early to avoid disappointment. A briefing session will be held on Tuesday January 18 between 10am and 12pm in the Annebrook House Hotel, Austin Friar Street, Mullingar. This will provide families with an opportunity to find out more about the programme before deciding to attend. The programme is for family members caring for and supporting someone with a brain injury.
In a supportive environment, family carers can develop their skills and knowledge in order to help them to care for someone with an ABI. The programme will provide information on ABI and the effects of brain injury on a person’s emotions, behaviour, communication, attention, and memory. It will also provide an overview of how ABI can affect the family environment.
If you would like further information on this training programme, please contact Una Kinane, project co-ordinator, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland at (01 ) 2804 164 ext.207 or [email protected].
Barbara O’Connell, CEO of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, said, “Caring for someone with an acquired brain injury is a major challenge for any family. Consequences of brain injuries can range from quite subtle to very significant personality and behavioural changes and as a result, relationships with families and friends can be put under strain. Increased dependency of people with ABI can lead to demands for constant attention from caregivers. With little support services currently available for carers, they may often find themselves very isolated and develop stress-related symptoms such as anxiety and depression.”
She continues, “The Acquired Brain Injury Ireland training programme will provide a supportive environment where family carers can come together to share information and learn from each other’s experiences and knowledge. It will give carers the skills they need to cope with their situation and to provide the best care possible to the person with ABI.”
The ABI Ireland brain aware training programme is funded by the Department of Social Protection and Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and managed by Pobal under the Dormant Accounts Fund.
