Case Study - Head injury

Background

26-year old female. RTA resulting in a mild-moderate head injury and lower back injury. Ongoing cognitive impairment and fatigue. Previously working in office administration. Job is still open but claimant has not felt ready to return to work.

Challenges

• Fatigue, loss of drive, memory and concentration problems all contributing to low level of daily functioning
• Lower back ache restricting social and leisure activities
• Claimant still living at home so progress hampered by family interactions/frustrations
• Claimant wants to improve her computing skills but does not feel confident using public transport and attending college

Rehab Solutions’ involvement

• Liaison with clinical psychologist to follow up treatment progress, treatment plan and timescale for rehabilitation and return to work
• Instructed personal trainer to develop suitable exercise and fitness programme designed to help increase claimant’s participation in regular activity away from home
• Vocational rehabilitation case manager identified basic computer skills course available at local Adult Education centre. Arranged for a Support Worker to travel by bus with claimant and attend course one afternoon a week.
• Contact with claimant’s employer to help set up a suitable graded return to work programme. Initially returning two mornings a week on low level modified duties, with regular increments, monitoring and weekly review arrangements agreed.
• Weekly telephone contact with claimant to follow up rehab progress and offer encouragement and support as necessary

Results

The claimant is now back at work and attending 8 hours a week. All support measures remain in place, and it is expected that she will benefit from case management input for another 6 months. She is now more confident in social interactions and using public transport independently.