There are five steps to becoming a resident of Villa Licci.

1. Initial Inquiry

Someone reaches out through our website, social media, local support groups, or various other means to inquire about becoming a resident. Or someone is referred to us from the local TBI community and requests more information.

2. Written Application

Each potential resident fills out an extensive application sharing basic information and including all relevant medical information about their TBI and how they manage their daily tasks.  This application will be sent out after the initial inquiry.

3. Application Review

The resident assessment committee reviews all applications to determine if Villa Licci is the appropriate residence for the applicant. This part of the process includes interviewing the applicant, their current caregivers and case managers, and potentially their employers and medical providers.

4. Probationary Period

All approved applicants must complete a mandatory probationary period of at least ninety (90) days during which adherence to community standards will be evaluated. Throughout this time, they will be able to participate in all community activities and events, essentially living with all the benefits of a full resident.

5. Permanent Residency

Once a resident has passed the probationary period, he/she will still be expected to adhere to community standards.  At this point, a resident could be dismissed only for significant reasons, including violent behavior, harassment of other residents, use/abuse of illegal substances, or engaging in criminal activity. Residents who are at risk of being dismissed will be notified of the behavior or activity that is placing them at risk and a course of action will be created to fix the problem. However, safety of all residents is a priority, so dismissal may be necessary to maintain the well-being of the overall community.

 

Once the first residential building is complete and we are ready to accept applications, we will notify our newsletter subscribers and anyone who has requested more information.

 

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Dear friends,

Hello and welcome to the third issue of The Survivor, the official e-newsletter of Villa Licci. We thank you for supporting our unique mission and for joining us in creating and cultivating a residential community for adult survivors of traumatic brain injury. Below you will find a roundup of recent blog posts, upcoming events, notable happenings, and more.

Please share this newsletter with your family and friends and help to spread the mission of Villa Licci!

If you have any questions or would like to share your ideas, please feel free to reach out to me.

Richard Sontag

Executive Director
Villa Licci

While there are many reasons a survivor of a traumatic brain injury would choose to join a support group, here are our top six:

6. Learn strategies from others on how to live with TBI

Beyond the medical and rehabilitation worlds – which also offer support in how to adjust to life after a TBI – a TBI support group can offer even more practical strategies for survivors with brain injuries.  Support groups offer a chance for survivors to help each other and often times it is better to learn from someone who is going through similar struggles.  Support groups offer inside perspectives and peer-to-peer strategies and coping skills on how to live after suffering a TBI.

5. Gain inspiration from others who have been on your journey and have had some success

Support groups are comprised of people at all stages in the TBI recovery journey. Therefore, besides walking alongside others at the same stage, a TBI survivor can see others who are further along the road and gain inspiration and encouragement.  Seeing someone else who has overcome similar challenges can be the catalyst and motivation needed for a survivor to maintain a positive outlook on their own life.

4. Know that there is someone there for you to talk to

Attending a group regularly shows TBI survivors that there are others there who will listen when they struggle and offer support when needed. Support groups create an environment where sharing is encouraged and welcome. Knowing there are others out there who will listen when a compassionate ear is needed can alleviate some anxiety over the entire situation, which leads directly into the next reason.

3. Minimize anxiety

A traumatic brain injury can cause many anxieties. It is a huge change that affects all aspects of life: physical, social, emotional, and more.  It can cause great stress and a huge sense of loneliness, which only exacerbates any anxieties.  Attending a support group shows survivors they are not alone and what they are going through is not unusual.  The supportive environment of these groups is intentionally created to ease anxieties and help TBI survivors feel comfortable about themselves and their new situations.

2. Make new friends who understand you

One of the major struggles after a TBI is navigating both old and new relationships.  The dynamics of many existing relationships change after a TBI and forming new relationships can be a challenge.  Within a support group there are people who already recognize the unique situations and perspectives of life after a TBI.  Whereas old friendships may drop off, these new friendships that develop are with others who understand on a deeper level what it means to survive a traumatic brain injury.  These new friendships – outside of extended family or medical professionals – are vitally important to creating the “new normal” after a TBI.

1. Feel less alone

A common thread runs through all the above reasons and culminates in this most important reason. Joining a support group helps survivors feel they are less alone.  According to research from professors at Brigham Young University, loneliness can have more deadly outcomes than alcohol abuse, excessive smoking, or obesity.  Anything a TBI survivor can do to feel less alone will increase their long-term survival and overall quality of life.

 

While there are numerous reasons for joining a traumatic brain injury support group that could be added to this list, these are our top six.  What other reasons would you add?  Click the link below to send us a comment!