Table 1

Overview of the participants’ demographic and health characteristics at inclusion

AnneCarlBirger
Sex, ageFemale, 71Male, 63Male, 86
Marital status, living conditionsLives with husband in own houseLives with partner in own terraced houseLives with wife in own apartment
Activity level prior to ABIRetired teacher, active lifestyle, exercises regularly, assisting at previous workplaceRetired professional driver, handy man, always on his feet helping with household repairsRetired, mostly quiet indoor activities, listen* to TV. Walks independently with walker in the flat but needs help transferring to the toilet at night, and his wife expressed she feels insecure leaving him alone for fear of falls
Home healthcare prior to ABINoNoYes, once a day for providing medical cream, eating and morning routines
Reported cognitive challenges prior to ABINoNoNo
ABI diagnosisCerebral infarct left side, basal gangliaTraumatic brain injury, with subarachnoid haemorrhage bilaterally and frontal contusion injuryCerebral haemorrhage right side, subcortical
Neurological challenges reported in patient recordSevere aphasia, attention, visual and arousal deficits, half side paresis right side, dysphagia with tube feedingPost-traumatic amnesia for 2 months; half side paresis left side; poor tolerance and impulsive control; difficulties with planning, structure and attention; easily tiredBalance and mobility problems, orientation only to one side, impaired judgement and plan of action
Recruitment12 days since ABI93 days since ABI18 days since ABI
ComorbiditiesFibromyalgia, hypertension, angina, lymphoedema and backpainDiabetes mellitus 2, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease grade 1, backpain, cataract, hypertension, chronic pancreatitis. After the TBI, he had high scores on a depression scaleBlind in one eye, strongly reduced sight in other eye with tunnel vision, moderate hearing loss, age-decreased balance (uses a rollator)

  • *Because of reduced vision.

  • ABI, acquired brain injury; TBI, traumatic brain injury.