We have long championed the message: Don’t Save Me, Then Leave Me. Despite more people surviving the major trauma of brain injury, many young brain injury survivors are forced to live indefinitely in nursing homes or community hospitals without access to the specialised rehabilitation supports they need to rebuild their lives.

A report by the Ombudsman was published in May 2021 to coincide with European Independent Living Day. ‘Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for young people in nursing homes’ provides evidence for and strengthens our case for urgent State investment in specialised neuro-rehabilitation, so that survivors of brain injury can regain their independence and reach their full potential.

The report found that there were some 1,300 individuals under the age of 65 living in nursing homes for older people in Ireland. Those living with an acquired brain injury, including stroke, represented the largest cohort of that group. Many are there inappropriately, due to a lack of alternative suitable accommodation or the necessary services to support them to live a more independent life.

One such former nursing home resident is Brian Hogan, a brain injury survivor who now lives in our Assisted Living service in Clarecastle, near Ennis County Clare. In support of our campaign Brian described his own lived experience:

Currently, more than 60% of the brain injury survivors living in our Assisted Living services have come from nursing home settings. Moreover, some 50% of all residents in those services ultimately return to live within the community with lesser support.

Clearly we are already providing a vital service to prevent the premature placement of young people in long-term nursing home care. We have the range of solutions available to respond both in the short- and long-term to the recommendations in the ‘Wasted Lives’ report, and to support more individuals whose potential for recovery and rehabilitation is unnecessarily cut short through the absence of services.

For instance, with a minor additional annual allocation of €510,000, we could extend our existing Case Management service nationwide. This would answer the Ombudsman’s call for a new Case Management Model to be drawn up and rolled out through each HSE CHO Area within the next 12 months, so that the individuals’ needs may be more appropriately assessed.