Arkansas Brain Injury Resources

Brain injuries are far too common. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, traumatic brain injury affects more than 1.5 million people in the United States every year. While a small percentage of these people die, the others are left with chronic symptoms and complications that affect their lives indefinitely. Financial strain is also common among people with this condition.

The state of Arkansas offers a wide variety of services that can be beneficial to people with brain injuries, from financial assistance to education. Some of these resources are listed below.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Following a brain injury, some people may turn to alcohol or other drugs for comfort and/or self-medication. Unfortunately, this often leads to drug abuse and addiction, which can make the individual’s life even worse. Several programs are available to help people who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse in Arkansas.

Assistive Technology

In many cases, people with brain injuries require assistive technology in order to function normally and live their best lives. These technologies can be expensive and difficult to find. Several organizations in Arkansas exist to help connect people with brain injuries with affordable assistive technologies that improve their quality of life.

Benefits and Assistance

Brain injuries often make it difficult or impossible for individuals to work and make a living on their own. In such cases, these individuals may qualify for certain benefits, such as disability payments or financial assistance. The programs below help victims of brain injuries to find and qualify for benefits and assistance.

Brain Injury Support Group

Living with a brain injury is challenging in many ways, and people who don’t struggle with this condition may not understand the depth of the effects. Brain injury support groups give people who have this condition a chance to interact with their peers, discuss the challenges they face and share their experiences.

Education

Education can help people with brain injuries to advance their careers and/or improve their quality of life by developing new skills. However, brain injuries can make it more difficult for individuals to learn and engage. Fortunately, several organizations in the state of Arkansas provide educational services and resources for people with brain injuries.

Emergency Services

Brain injuries can affect a victim’s life in many different ways, leading to a higher likelihood of medical complications, accidents and other emergencies that may be life-threatening. The organizations below can provide assistance and support to individuals with brain injuries in the event of a variety of different types of emergencies.

Employment Assistance

Depending on the extent of the brain injury, an individual may still be able to hold a job and earn an income. However, finding an appropriate job can be difficult, as many people with brain injuries need special accommodations. Several organizations in Arkansas provide employment assistance to victims of brain injuries.

Family Support

Living with a brain injury is certainly difficult, but being the family member of someone with a brain injury isn’t easy either. Meeting with other people who have a family member with a brain injury can help to lighten the burden by allowing individuals to discuss their experiences in a safe environment.

Financial Assistance

From high medical costs to purchasing assistive technology, living with a brain injury can cause significant financial strain. Financial assistance programs exist to help brain injury victims afford necessities, as well as the care and services they need to live a good life. A variety of these programs are available throughout Arkansas.

Food Bank

In cases where having a brain injury has led to financial strain, individuals struggling with this condition may not be able to afford groceries to feed themselves or their families. Food banks throughout the state of Arkansas exist to provide food to families that can’t afford to purchase it themselves.

Games/Apps

People with brain injuries can often recover with the right stimulation. For example, although it may take time, it is sometimes possible to regain function by engaging in certain exercises. Below are some games and applications that may be beneficial to patients with brain injuries in the state of Arkansas.

Hearing Aids

Having a brain injury sometimes leads to hearing deficits that can make daily living difficult. Fortunately, many people who have hearing loss because of a brain injury can regain some of their hearing by investing in a hearing aid. Below are some organizations that provide hearing aids for qualifying individuals in Arkansas.

Homeless Shelters

Having a brain injury leads to unemployment and financial strain in many cases. If the situation becomes even more serious, the individual may even end up homeless. In such cases, homeless shelters in Arkansas can provide much-needed safety until the individual is able to get back on his or her feet.

Hospital

Someone who has suffered a brain injury may need to visit a hospital for emergencies, scheduled tests or treatment. Choosing the right hospital is essential in order to ensure that the individual receives the care he or she needs. A variety of good quality hospitals are available across the state of Arkansas in convenient locations.

Housing Assistance

Everyone needs a safe, stable home environment, but finding appropriate housing is even more important for someone with a brain injury. These individuals often need homes located close to doctor’s offices and/or hospitals. They may also need more affordable housing because of financial difficulties. Below are some of the organizations in Arkansas who provide housing assistance to people with this condition.

Legal Assistance

Individuals struggling with brain injuries may need legal assistance for a variety of reasons, from filing personal injury lawsuits against the party responsible for the injury to dealing with family law matters. Some of the organizations in Arkansas who provide legal assistance to people with brain injuries are listed below.

Mental Health Services

Living with a brain injury is a challenging situation, which may raise the risk of a variety of mental illnesses. People with brain injuries may experience anxiety, depression, PTSD and other conditions that require treatment. Fortunately, a number of organizations throughout Arkansas provide mental health services to people with this condition.

Physical Therapy

Brain injuries can cause a wide variety of physical symptoms and deficits. Although some of these problems may persist throughout the individual’s life, others will improve with physical therapy. Below is a list of some of the organizations in Arkansas that offer physical therapy services to patients with brain injuries.

Prescription Assistance

An individual with a brain injury may need a variety of medications to manage his or her symptoms and ensure the best possible quality of life. Unfortunately, prescription medications can be expensive. Below are some organizations in the state of Arkansas that provide prescription assistance to patients with limited resources.

PTSD Support

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a serious condition that often goes hand-in-hand with brain injuries. People struggling with this condition face unique challenges that their family and friends may not understand. The organizations below exist to provide support and assistance to people with PTSD in the state of Arkansas.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides a wide variety of affordable goods and services to individuals experiencing financial difficulties, including those who have suffered brain injuries. The Salvation Army boasts a number of convenient locations across the state of Arkansas in order to serve a wide population and meet the needs of as many people as possible.

Scholarship

Even with a brain injury, it is possible to pursue higher education and improve career prospects. However, higher education can be expensive, and it may be even more difficult for someone who has limited financial resources because of a brain injury. Fortunately, a variety of scholarship programs are available in the state of Arkansas.

Suicide Prevention

Because life with a brain injury can be so difficult and stressful, individuals who struggle with this condition may be at a higher risk of developing severe depression and suicidal tendencies. Several organizations throughout Arkansas provide suicide prevention services to individuals who are thinking of ending their life because of a brain injury.

Veteran Support

Some individuals develop brain injuries while serving in the military. In such cases, specific resources and supportive services may be available to help the individual improve his or her quality of life. Below are some of the veteran support services available in Arkansas.