When a person suffers a brain or spinal cord injury, the whole family is affected. In many cases, life is never quite the same again. The first step towards a new life for both the patient and the patient's family is rehabilitation, which starts during admission and often lasts for several months.
TrygFonden’s Familiehus Glostrup offers families linked to Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury at Rigshospitalet, Glostrup new opportunities to be together during admission.
“This means, for instance, that children admitted to the Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries can have their parents and siblings close by, and the family can continue family life, even if they actually live far away from the hospital. The family house means we can offer families somewhere to stay in domestic surroundings next to life at the hospital,” said Lars Gaardhøj (S), Chairman of the Regional Council, Capital Region of Denmark.
The family house is particularly intended for families with a child or a parent admitted to the department. The CEO of TryghedsGruppen and TrygFonden, Rie Odsbjerg Werner, is in no doubt that the house can make a big difference for the individual family.
“The family house will accommodate families who are far away from home. Being so far from home exacerbates an already difficult and complex situation, often with a rehabilitation programme lasting many months. TrygFonden’s Familiehus will help the whole family through a very difficult time, and provide a safe base, so that the family can find the strength to be there for the patient - and for each other. They can also share their experiences with other families in the same situation.”
An oasis for the family
In family house can accommodate 11 families. It has been designed so that it is possible to retire to the seclusion of your own flat, or to spend time with other families in common areas. Each flat comprises a bedroom, a bathroom and a private terrace.
The two shared kitchens are wheelchair-friendly, with height-adjustable kitchen islands in each the kitchen. Families can prepare meals together and look out at the surrounding gardens or the wheelchair-friendly playground.
In the centre of the house is a shielded courtyard, where families can gather around a common barbecue. There is a games room, where enthusiasts of all ages can use the gamer chair with surround sound. There is also a playroom for younger residents.
Improved treatment of spinal cord injuries and brain injuries
The windows of the house also look out to the Bodil Eskesen Centre containing the Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries. The Bodil Eskesen Centre opened in June 2023, and is the first place in Denmark at which brain and spinal cord injuries are treated in one department. The family house improves the overall facilities for brain and spinal cord injuries on the site.
Jannick Brennum is the Centre Director of the Neuroscience Centre at Rigshospitalet, and he is very pleased about the opportunities in the new house.
“Research shows that rehabilitation is more effective if we can share it with relatives. The family house makes this possible. Consolidating rehabilitation after a brain and spinal cord injury with a family house like this on one site is entirely new. It’s good for our patients, and it’s good for their families.”
Facts about TrygFonden’s Familiehus Glostrup
The family house has been built for families with a member of the family admitted to the Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries. It is particularly intended for families with a child or a parent admitted to the department.
It has been donated by TrygFonden and it is operated by Rigshospitalet, Glostrup.
The house is around 1,000 m2, divided into 11 flats of approx. 30 m2 each, as well as a number of common areas. All of the flats have a bedroom, a private bathroom and a private terrace.
The Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries admits patients from all of eastern Denmark, as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The contractor of the project was the Centre for Real Estate under the Capital Region of Denmark