According to the Oregon Health Authority, more than 13,500 Oregonians suffered a brain injury in 2020. But advocates say the number of people living with the chronic effects of those injuries is much higher. The long-term effects of a brain injury can range from confusion and short-term memory loss to depression, anger issues and lack of impulse control. Depending on the severity of the injury, patients may need access to things like employment and housing assistance in addition to medical and therapeutic services.

Oregon is one of 11 states that doesn’t have an established office to coordinate those services and help patients and their caregivers navigate the system. As Willamette Week reported recently, the state also lacks inpatient rehab beds for brain injury patients.

Joining us is David Kracke, Oregon’s Brain Injury Advocate/Coordinator. We talk with him about support services for brain injury patients and their loved ones and efforts to coordinate those services in the state.