Service User Satisfaction
F Hussain Northampton Thu 29/05/2008 I was hightly impressed by the overall service received from Athena Care. As a disabled user I would have no hestitation using them again. M Allen Leicester Thu 29/05/2008 I feel 100% supported and enabled to control my life. Thank you to the Athena Care Team. Mrs White Wed 29/10/2008 Thank you for your special care & kindness, it meant so much to mum to be able to spend her last weeks at home, and we are so grateful to have... P Milnes Leicester Thu 29/05/2008 Thank you to the Athena Care. The live in service provided by team over the last two years has been very supportive of...

Case Management

Our full Athena Case Management site can be viewed at www.athenacasemanagement.com

Athena Case Management offers cost effective 'Case Management' services that promotes and secures the best outcomes for the service user.Working in partnership with Deputy's (Receivers) and clients to secure best outcomes.

Our team of qualified Case Managers is led by Michael Heap CSW/FRSA/MCMI former deputy director of Gloucestershire Social Services and founder member of the Joint Advisory Group on Domiciliary Care in his role as Chair Of the National Council for Domiciliary Care Standards (now the National Home Care Council).Corporate Member of the Expert Witness Institute.

Michael Heap

CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

We recognise that those who have sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) or Spinal Injury may need expert help to achieve and maintain a reasonable quality of life.

Evidence has shown that intensive, on-going and personalised case management can improve the quality of life and outcomes for these clients
Athena Case Management Services provides brain injury and spinal injury case managers in order to:

Provide and support suitable support workers or buddy’s
Co-ordinate the team of support workers or buddy’s who are fully trained and experienced to support the individual with the specialist care they may require.
Allocate and co-ordinate suitable therapists that need to be involved
Identify suitable activities and supports for the TBI / Spinal Injury survivor
Ensure that the TBI / Spinal Injury survivor's time is structured with suitable activities

The overall aim is to achieve the best possible reintegration into the community and to enable high quality outcomes based living in the community.

Why is case management needed?

Following severe brain injury or spinal injury, clients may have an intricate mix of health and social care difficulties. Because of their vulnerability, simple problems can make their condition deteriorate rapidly, putting them at high risk of unplanned hospital admissions or long term institutionalisation.Individuals may be left with a range of permanent deficits. While the exact difficulties experienced vary, some problems are very common indeed, including:

Cognitive deficits

Language/communication difficulties
Memory problems
Difficulty learning new information
Reduced mental speed
Poor concentration
There is often difficulty with future planning, even of simple activities.

Behavioural changes

Lack of initiative and motivation
Lack of insight into their condition
Increased tiredness
Irritability
Childishness
Depressed mood
Social withdrawal

Physical limitations may include

Balance difficulties
Reduced strength and power in muscles
Lack of precise control of movement

What does a case manager do?

The role of a case manager may include:

Setting up a support regime
Recruiting, maintaining and training appropriate support staff. Putting forward an appropriate and cohesive package of support. Acting as support and confidante to members of the care team.
Organising therapy and training
Introducing remedial activities and retraining. Maintenance of current fitness and mobility. Improvement and maintenance of daily independence.
Family intervention
Acting as a mediator, informing families what the individual can and cannot do, and what they need to be prompted to do for themselves.
Researching activities
Exploring possible social activities, encouraging any current interests, and prompting new ones. Investigating the possibility of some form of employment, if appropriate.

Our case managers provides the overall co-ordination of continuing rehabilitation and care, identifying local resources and activities to help the brain injured individual to structure his or her time.

How do we provide a case manager?

Following a referral for case management we conduct a full assessment of the client's needs by reviewing the relevant records and meeting with the client and a close family member.
Once the client has been assessed and a case manager found, we are able to prepare a proposal. This details our recommendations as regards the package of case management, and care where necessary.

What are the costs involved?

Our charges are flexible to meet the needs of the client. We may for example charge a flat monthly fee depending on the complexity of the case. This will be assessed on the basis of:

The amount of input/activity the client requires
A risk assessment based on the client's behavioural, mood, or psychiatric problems, and family involvement.

The case manager's role includes securing the best outcomes while co-ordinating the injured person's further placement, care, rehabilitation, and training. This includes liaising with health, social, and educational services to find elements of occupation, care, rehabilitation, and training, and liaising with family members, care workers, and others involved.

Such a role involves an on-call element, with the case manager being available for support and guidance when required, and should a particular difficulty arise. There are regular case reviews and the team uses a well documented system of record-keeping and goal setting. Monthly progress reports are provided.

What do you do now?

If you have a client who you consider may benefit from our case management services please email or telephone: 0116 2621688

In order to make a referral for case management we would normally require a written or emailed referral preferably accompanied by relevant medical records and case reports.