Cognitive Impairments

Traumatic Brain Injury Among Homeless Persons: Etiology, Prevalence & Severity (2008) – This monograph by Jennifer L. Highley, PMHNP-BC, and published by the HCH Clinicians’ Network, describes the etiology, prevalence and severity of cognitive dysfunction as a result of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among persons experiencing homelessness. It is hoped that this information will improve our ability to identify, assess, diagnose, treat, house and create aftercare services for those homeless persons who have sustained TBI and other insults to the central nervous system. The paper concludes with a series of practice, administration and policy recommendations.

Cognitive Impairment & Homeless Individuals (2007) | PowerPoint presentation by Virginia Luchetti, EdD, licensed psychologist specializing in homeless services, Contra Costa County, California | 2007 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference | Washington, DC

Hidden Trauma: Studies Cite Head Injuries as Factor in Some Social Ills – New research suggests that hidden traumatic brain injuries can cause social or educational failure, such as alcoholism or homelessness. If broadly verified, the findings could have a significant impact in dealing with these difficulties.

Traumatic Brain Injury -  Chapter from The Health Care of Homeless Persons (2004) | Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

Case Report

Traumatic Brain Injury in a Homeless Male (2008) – Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in the United States, where about 1.4 million people have a reported head injury each year. There is evidence that homeless individuals experience a greater incidence of severe head injury than the general population. This case report illustrates the sequelae of a moderate traumatic brain injury and comorbidities in a young homeless adult.

Healing Hands Newsletters

• Traumatic Brain Injury: Emerging Tools for Assessment and Care (2008)
• Dealing with Disability: Cognitive Impairments & Homelessness (2003)

Relevant Articles

• Hwang SW, Colantonio A, Chiu S, Tolomiczenko G, Kiss A, Cowan L, Redelmeier DA, Levinson W. The effect of traumatic brain injury on the health of homeless people. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 179(8):779-784, 2008.
• Parks RW, Stevens RJ, Spence SA. A systematic review of cognition in homeless children and adolescents. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 100(1):46-50, 2007.

• Spence S, Stevens R, Parks R. Cognitive dysfunction in homeless adults: a systematic review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 97(8):375-379, 2004.

• Reynolds W. Traumatic brain injury: a public policy analysis from a state perspective.  American Rehabilitation, 1993.

Additional Resources

• Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
• BrainLine.org | A comprehensive website for authoritative, useful and timely information and resources on preventing, treating and living with traumatic brain injury | Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center | Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury

• Dealing with Cognitive Dysfunction Associated with Psychiatric Disabilities: A handbook for families and friends of individuals with psychiatric disorders (2002) | Alice Medalia A, Revheim N | New York State Office of Mental Health

• Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery (2008) | A comprehensive study of the post-deployment health-related needs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury among service members returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the health care system in place to meet those needs, gaps in the care system, and the costs associated with these conditions and with providing quality health care to all those in need.

• TBI Central comprises the websites of the Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Traumatic Brain Injury Interventions and the New York Traumatic Brain Injury Model System at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and The Mount Sinai Medical Center. These sites provide diverse resources-including training, research and publications-for service providers, researchers, people with TBI, and their family members. You can also be added to the TBI Central Mailing List.

• Traumatic Brain Injury | Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention & Control – This site provides information for professionals and the general public regarding TBI. Topics include prevention, causes, outcomes and research. Data reports regarding TBI in the U. S., many free publications and fact sheets can be downloaded.

• Traumatic Brain Injury Screening: An Introduction (2006) | Health Resources and Services Administration – This document describes 20 screening instruments currently used in a number of different systems (e.g., education and military) and shares the challenges faced as well as the lessons learned by States in developing and integrating these instruments into existing processes. It also has links to all the screening tools described.

• Washington State Traumatic Brain Injury Council – Resources for TBI survivors & caregivers