The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and its nationwide network of state affiliates representing survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), their families, researchers, clinicians and other professionals, strongly supports The Heroes at Home Act of 2007 (H.R. 3051) and urges the United States House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to approve this important legislation in a timely manner. 

The Heroes at Home Act of 2007 (H.R. 3051) would significantly improve support for family caregivers of returning servicemembers with traumatic brain injury (TBI).  This important bill proactively acknowledges the reality that a brain injury impacts the entire family, not just the individual.

Importantly, this legislation acknowledges the critical role played by family caregivers in facilitating recovery from brain injury and addresses the pressing need to increase support for these caregivers through programs providing access to training, certification and financial compensation for their work as personal care attendants.

Family care is the most important source of assistance for people with chronic or disabling conditions, including people with brain injury.  Yet, research has found that all too often, the traumatic brain injury of a spouse or close relative places extreme stress on family caregivers, frequently resulting in adverse physical and emotional outcomes for the caregivers themselves.  Unfortunately, despite these documented physical hardships and psychological stress, family caregivers receive little support.

Specifically, stress reaction is known to occur in situations where the demands of the environment exceed an individual's resources. One critical component that has been found to be related to caregiver burden is whether or not the caregiver perceives the effects of the injury to exceed the caregiver's resources to manage the situation.  In other words, perceived stress has consistently predicted negative outcomes for the caregiver.i  A lack of financial resources and social supports are some of the common perceived stresses impacting family caregivers of loved ones with TBI.

One longitudinal study found that 47 percent of family caregivers of  individuals with TBI had altered or given up their jobs at one year postinjury, and 33 percent at two years postinjury, decreases in both employment and financial status were reported over a 2-year time period postinjuryii.  Particularly in light of the fact that caregivers often report severe financial strain and frequently must give up their jobs in order to take care of their loved one with TBI, increased financial support and access to respite care for family caregivers of returning servicemembers with TBI is vital and long overdue.

Again, the Brain Injury Association of America enthusiastically endorses The Heroes at Home Act of 2007 (H.R. 3051) and strongly encourages the Committee to approve this legislation.

Sincerely,

Susan H. Connors
President/CEO

i  Chwalisz, Kathleen. "Perceived Stress and Caregiver Burden after Brain Injury:  A Theoretical Integration."  Rehabilitation Psychology, Vol. 37, No. 3, 1992. pp 189-203.

ii  Hall KM, Karzmark, P, Stevens M. Englander J, O'Hare P, Wright J. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Aug;75 (8): 876-84.