
Brain Injury Treatment & Recovery
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services & Treatments
Our Brain Injury Program specialists are here to help you get back to your everyday activities after your brain injury. It's our goal to help regain your independence and adapt to your new lifestyle. Your brain injury rehabilitation will start from your first day in the hospital to your recovery at home. Your brain injury care team to be with you every step of the way.
Many of our treatment options feature the latest advances in rehabilitation technologies:
- Assistive Technology Center—Our collaborative treatment center gives brain injury patients advanced technology and software to help them with everyday tasks. Patients can use their voice, eyes, and other movements to control things in their environment. Assistive technology helps patients feel more in control and independent.
- Augmentative communication devices—These devices will help you communicate if you have trouble speaking. Augmentative communication devices can help you talk, use a computer, or even go online just by using your eyes.
- Cognitive rehabilitation—The uses screen assessments and games to measure and improve your reaction time and visual motor skills, like writing and drawing. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists will work with you on things like focusing, memory, organizing, and solving problems.
- Community reintegration—Occupational therapists may go with you to grocery stores, restaurants, or other public places. They will measure your ability to function outside of a hospital setting. They will help you practice real-world tasks and learn how to handle challenges outside of the hospital. We may continue these assessments in outpatient therapy (care provided outside of a hospital setting).
- Driving evaluation—A driving simulator at our Sugar House Health Center allows you to practice driving in a controlled environment. The driving simulator allows your occupational therapist to measure and test your vision, reaction time, and thinking speed. You'll practice driving a real car with your occupational therapist when they determine you're ready to drive.
- Family education and training—Occupational therapists work with your family to educate them about community resources. They will help prepare you and your family for future challenges you may experience.
- ±·±ð³Ü°ù´Ç-´Ç±è³ó³Ù³ó²¹±ô³¾´Ç±ô´Ç²µ²â—Specialists at the John A. Moran Eye Center evaluate your vision and related brain function whether you’re in the hospital or in outpatient rehabilitation.
- Orthotics and prosthetics fitting and training—We make special shoe inserts (orthotics) and braces to treat foot, leg, and back problems and assist you with daily activities. We use a 3D printer to customize any orthotics, prosthetics, and braces to fit your unique needs.
- Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic—You may need supports or cushions to sit comfortably in a wheelchair and control your environment. Our wheelchair seating and mobility clinic providers will help you find specialized wheelchairs and seating systems for any activity.
Brain Injury Recovery
Brain injury recovery looks different for everyone. You learn to adjust to the physical and mental impairments you got from your injury as you recover. The foundation of our Brain Injury Program helps you adapt to these new challenges and keep moving forward.
Non-traumatic & Traumatic Brain Injury Therapy
After you leave Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, you may continue receiving therapy services in the following ways:
- At home with rehabilitation therapists and a nurse's aide
- Outpatient rehabilitation at a health center or clinic, such as Sugar House Therapy Services
Your treatment plan outside of a rehabilitation hospital setting will depend on your insurance coverage and health needs.
Sugar House Therapy Services offers a range of therapies and rehabilitation services for all types of brain injuries:
- Orthopedic physical therapy to work on mobility skills like walking and getting in and out of bed
- Occupational therapy to work on daily living skills such as dressing and bathing
- Neurologic physical therapy
- Speech language training to help with talking, swallowing, and thinking skills
- Driving rehabilitation
- An exercise gym with equipment
- Brain Injury Wellness and Assistive Technology area offers state-of-the-art equipment:
- Voice recognition software
- Virtual reality devices
- Voice-controlled devices for at home
- Computers and adaptive games for all abilities
Brain Injury Support from Family
Family and friends play a big part in your recovery. Our rehabilitation doctors and specialists will keep them updated and involved in your care and treatment plan. We understand this may be an emotional time, but we're here to support you.
Wellness Program
We offer exercise programs, support groups, nutrition counseling, and fun events in the community to help you stay strong and connected.
Patient Ben Eder's TBI Recovery at Neilsen Rehabilitation
Find a Rehabilitation Specialist
Meet With One of Our Brain Injury Specialists
You will need a referral from your doctor to be admitted to our Brain Injury Program. Please call our referral line at 801-646-8000. Our referral specialist will work with your current provider to obtain necessary medical records and verify your insurance benefits for coverage.
Brain Injury Support Groups
U of U Health Neurologic Injuries Support Group
Contact Information
Cara Moyer
Email: cara.moyer@hsc.utah.edu
Kara Tucker
Email: kara.tucker@hsc.utah.edu
Sydney Beadles
Email: sydney.beadles@hsc.utah.edu
Date & Time: Second Tuesday of most months at 6:15 pm
Location: Sugar House Health Center (Oquirrh Conference Room 3rd Floor)
1280 East Stringham Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
U of U Health Caregiver Support Group
Contact Information
Chris Pace, LCSW
Email: chris.pace@utah.edu
Date & Time: First Tuesday of every month from 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Sugar House Health Center (Oquirrh Conference Room 3rd Floor)
1280 East Stringham Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
We kindly ask that only caregivers attend the support group. We want to help everyone feel comfortable sharing their stories openly and honestly. This environment allows caregivers to focus on their own needs and experiences without concern for how their loved one might react.
Funding for Brain Injury & Spinal Cord Injury Patients in Utah
The was consolidated during the 2024 Utah legislative session. This fund provides support for people with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and non-progressive neurological conditions who need rehabilitation therapy services or specialized equipment for their everyday activities.
The Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury fund is intended for people who have no other financial options to pay for therapy or equipment.