Square One Rehabilitation and Wellness: The Effects Architecture Has on Treating TBI
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Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, is an injury that affects how the
brain works. These injuries may impact individuals’ behavior,
mobility, memory, language, problem solving and empathy. TBI
patients also tend to feel isolated because cognitive,
physical, and social disabilities prevent them from engaging in
their pre-injury activities in a normalized way. Depending on
how severe one’s injuries may be, one may recover from a
traumatic brain injury. However, most will live with permanent
effects from their injuries. Recovery at any level may involve
years of relearning how to do daily tasks. Throughout a TBI
survivor’s recovery process, they will need substantial support
to learn, live and work with their disability. Healthcare
professionals along with community, family and friends can
help the survivor regain confidence when returning to the
outside world to live and work with their disability.
Through design, innovative rehabilitation methods are
combined with connections to nature and community to create
a holistic and supportive atmosphere for patients to recover
from their traumas in this facility. A focus on overall community
health and wellness is also provided to benefit a wider
population and create space for interaction between TBI
patients and the community to assist in breaking stigmas. TBI
survivors, family, friends and the broader community will be
able to interact and learn in an environment that encompasses
whole body wellness.