Looking after someone with brain injury

A brain injury often affects not just the person with the injury themselves, but also others around them. Families often take on caring responsibilities, such as helping the survivor with washing or dressing themselves, staying safe, managing day-to-day activities, using medication, transport and feeling emotionally supported.

A carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of an illness or disability, and is not paid for doing so. Therefore, it is often spouses, partners or family members who become carers after brain injury.

Carers often have to make considerable changes to the way they live, such as spending less time with friends or reducing working hours. The changes can be difficult to adjust to.