Supporting Families After Brain Injury: The Ripples of Care
Understanding Brain Injury from a Family Perspective
In this episode of The Care Cast, host Luca Rado, Co-founder of The Live In Care Company, speaks with Dr Alyson Norman, Associate Professor in Psychology and Co Chair of Anchor Point. Alyson shares her deeply personal and professional insight into the impact of acquired brain injury on families and loved ones.
Alyson’s journey into this field began when her brother suffered a traumatic brain injury following a car accident. “When I was 12 years old, my brother had a very severe brain injury and was in hospital for many months,” she recalled. “We had very little information or support as a family. That experience shaped my interest in psychology and in helping others.”
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How Much Has Changed Since the 1990s
Luca and Alyson reflected on the landscape of brain injury support and how it has evolved. Sadly, Alyson explained that progress has been limited. “When I came into the research field in the early 2000s, there was talk of change, but the reality is that many families today face the same barriers I did 30 years ago.”
While there are differences between statutory and private services, Alyson noted that support for family members remains “woefully inadequate”. Families are still struggling to find their place in the care process, often excluded from crucial conversations and left to manage alone.
The Mission of Anchor Point
As Co-Chair of Anchor Point, Alyson helps lead a group that works to raise awareness of the wider effects of brain injury. The organisation was created during the pandemic by researchers, clinicians, and families who wanted to transform research findings into real action.
“The name ‘Anchor Point’ reflects our goal of supporting families,” Alyson explained. “We aim to provide education and training for professionals, and to influence government policy so that families are fully included in care planning.”
Anchor Point’s work is structured around its guiding framework called RIPPLES, which stands for Research, Information, Practice, Policy, Lives, Education, and Strategy. Each area represents part of the ripple effect that brain injury has across a family and community.
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The Emotional Toll on Families
Alyson highlighted that the emotional impact of brain injury extends far beyond the individual. “Anxiety and low mood are very common,” she said. “Families are trying to adjust to a person who may not be the same as before, while also managing work, finances, and day to day life.”
These pressures often strain relationships. Research shows that divorce rates following moderate to severe brain injury can reach around 50 per cent, showing just how far reaching the emotional consequences can be.
Where Families Need More Support
Through her research, Alyson has identified several critical gaps in how families are supported. One of the biggest issues is the lack of involvement in hospital discharge planning. Families are often left with little idea of what to expect or how to meet their loved one’s ongoing needs.
She believes that more consistent inclusion of families in care discussions would make a major difference. Financial and psychological support also need to be improved so that families do not feel abandoned once their loved one leaves hospital.
Making Information Accessible
Anchor Point and its partners Headway UK & ABIF UK are working to provide better information for families, from online videos and social media to printed guides and children’s books. “Families do not always need to know everything at once,” Alyson said. “We are developing resources in stages so that they can find the right help at the right time.”
The charity also encourages families to take an active role. Alyson advised, “Information is your greatest tool. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to ask the right questions and be included in decisions.”
Looking Ahead with Hope
Despite the challenges, Alyson remains optimistic about the future. She told Luca, “It feels like there is a sea change happening. More people are talking about brain injury and the need to support families properly. Our goal at Anchor Point is to make sure family voices are always part of that conversation.”
Alyson’s work continues to highlight that recovery from brain injury is never an individual journey. It involves a network of people whose needs and voices deserve equal attention.
How Live-In Care Can Support Life After Brain Injury
For many families affected by brain injury, live-in care can offer the stability and reassurance that other care settings sometimes cannot provide. A dedicated live-in carer can help someone rebuild daily routines, manage medication, and regain confidence in a familiar home environment. This consistent, one-to-one support also benefits families, offering respite, reducing stress, and ensuring that care is tailored to the individual’s unique cognitive and emotional needs. By working closely with healthcare professionals and family members, live-in carers can play a vital role in promoting rehabilitation, maintaining independence, and supporting the whole household as they adjust to life after injury.
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about how live in care can support families following brain injury, please contact our friendly team on 0330 404 6276 or email enquiries@theliveincarecompany.co.uk
