Health, wellness, and safety concerns of persons with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury and their family caregivers: a qualitative content analysis

Background: Persons with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) face issues with health, wellness, and safety that affect their ability to independently manage their care, even for individuals who are >= 75% independent in activities of daily living. These issues often lead to increased family involvement in managing the person's condition after discharge home. Purpose: We explored health, wellness, and safety concerns after discharge home from inpatient rehabilitation from the perspectives of persons with TBI who are >= 75% independent in activities of daily living and their family caregivers. Materials and methods: We interviewed 27 persons with TBI and family caregivers and used conventional content analysis to analyse the data. Results: Seven themes related to health, wellness, and safety encompassed participants' experience. Health themes included: (1) attempting to manage medications and (2) navigating mental health difficulties. Wellness themes included: (1) working to stay physically active, (2) dealing with sleep and sleeplessness, and (3) adjusting to changing social relationships. Safety themes were: (1) addressing mobility challenges and (2) compensating for complications with cognitive functioning. Conclusions: Findings can guide the development of tools, supports, and resources to promote health, wellness, and safety of persons with TBI as they recover after discharge home.