Getting the right support following a spinal cord injury (SCI) is vital. SCIs are caused by trauma to the spinal cord and can prove to be lifechanging.
A spinal cord injury can happen at any point, being caused by physical trauma or a degenerative condition.
If you or your loved one has suffered from an SCI, understanding when to get support is vital.
Imagine this scenario
It’s a normal day commuting home from the office for Jonathan. He takes his normal route, but as he crosses the traffic lights, someone jumps the red light.
The accident results in a spinal cord injury, meaning that Jonathan loses significant mobility in his lower body.
This injury leads Jonathan’s family to need to support him once he moves out of hospital and back home. Whilst they can support him, they are unable to be available 24/7.
How can we support him and his family?
Supporting someone with a spinal cord injury
In our experience, providing support to those with SCIs, providing support begins from the moment that they come home from the hospital.
There is a lot that needs to be considered with supporting someone with a spinal cord injury. One example is autonomic dysreflexia, which is a dangerous syndrome resulting in the overreaction of the autonomic nervous system.
It can be triggered by certain types of stimulation, such as the bowel or bladder being too full or even certain pressures of the skin.
This condition can be fatal, so it is vital that someone like Jonathan who is at risk of autonomic dysreflexia has the specialist care that he needs.
How can we help?
We recruit and train carers to meet clients’ needs, not just with their complex care, but with their social needs too. This means support in getting out of the house and getting their life back on track following a spinal cord injury.
Our carers can also support with:
- Mobility
- Bowel and bladder care
- Pain management
- Moving people safely
We also work to support rehabilitation programmes prepared by medical professionals. This includes working alongside and under specialists such as physiotherapists or speech and language therapists.
This support can go a long way in helping people like Jonathan achieve maximum independence and quality of life following a spinal cord injury.
If you or your loved one is looking for support with a spinal cord injury, please contact our team today.