Life care planning after a broken back can be a game changer for your client, especially if the injury is the result of a work-related accident. After breaking the back, injured parties can have challenges with mobility and chronic pain, which can make their return to work difficult and sometimes impossible.
If you aren’t familiar with the term, life care planning is an in-depth process that addresses your client’s medical, physical, emotional, social, and financial needs. Our medical experts always customize life care plans based on the severity of a client’s injury, from spinal cord injury to a less severe fracture.
By creating a comprehensive plan that considers all aspects of care and recovery, your client with a broken back and their family can better navigate the long-term challenges and costs associated with the injury. During the life care planning process, the medical experts at LCPpro® consider:
Rehabilitation and Ongoing Medical Needs
If the broken back results in a spinal cord injury, your client may need intensive rehabilitation. This often includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. For those with partial mobility, rehabilitation may focus on strengthening the muscles around the spine, improving posture, and learning to use assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs. Additionally, regular follow-up care with a neurologist or spinal cord specialist may be necessary to monitor recovery, manage pain, and address complications like pressure sores or nerve damage.
Many individuals with broken backs, especially those with spinal cord injuries, will need ongoing pain management. In addition to physical therapy, this may involve medications or alternative treatments like acupuncture or nerve blocks. It is also important to note that, though they may not occur in the short term, other medical complications can arise for individuals with broken backs. Life care plans for clients like this should account for the possibility of blood clots, respiratory complications, and infections, which can require continued monitoring and care.
Home Modifications and Accessibility
After a broken back, especially if there is a permanent disability or reduced mobility, your client’s home may need modifications to ensure it is safe and accessible. This can include installing ramps, wider doorways, and grab bars; adjusting the height of countertops or sinks; or ensuring wheelchair accessibility throughout the home. These changes can be costly and should be accounted for in the life care planning process.
Social and Emotional Support
Quality of life is top of mind in every life care plan we customize. Our medical experts understand that coping with a broken back, especially if it results in long-term disability, can have a significant emotional impact on a person. Individuals may experience depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A life care plan should also consider your client’s relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. The physical and emotional strain of a broken back can change dynamics, and relationship counseling may help address these challenges. Counseling or therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) can be an important tool to help the person adapt to their new and on-going circumstances. The costs of therapy and other emotional supports can add up, especially over the years, and must be accounted for in a comprehensive life care plan.
Caregiver and Family Support
Many people with a broken back may require significant assistance from caregivers, particularly if they experience limited mobility or need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Our customized life care plans outline the level of caregiving required, and the training needed for family members.
Workplace and Career Considerations
Too often in the event of a broken back, an individual is unable to resume previous job duties. For your client this may involve job retraining, education, or vocational rehabilitation services. It is crucial that a life care plan takes into account loss of wages in the short term and future potential earnings from a job if your client is permanently disabled.
Financial Planning
At its core, life care planning involves an estimate of the costs associated with the care needed for the person with a broken back to live a quality life. This should include medical costs, rehabilitation, home modifications, assistive devices, and caregiver expenses as well as other considerations based on your client’s specific situation.
If the broken back resulted from an accident or injury, there may be legal considerations for pursuing compensation, such as insurance claims, workers’ compensation, or personal injury lawsuits. Our medical expertise can assist you in understanding the long-term medical needs for your client as you navigate these legal issues and secure the necessary resources for care for your client.
Call us today to learn more about how an initial investment in life care planning can result in better results for your client with a broken back. Our caring medical experts have the knowledge of these complicated injuries to help you best serve your client and their family. We look forward to partnering with you for your client’s life care planning needs.
