Areas of support
Epileptics and their families may be confronted with anxiety, uncertainty and perhaps even shame. Extensive education, sharing experiences and/or training of social skills may help you and your family to fit epilepsy into your daily life. Kempenhaeghe offers such support in various forms.
The Heeze location offers "Educon", a so-called psycho-educational programme. This programme focuses on expert information. The programme consists of one or more daily periods (with an interval).
Furthermore, there are social skills trainings for children and adults.
The Oosterhout location offers an intensive five day programme for epileptic adults and their partners or family members. Your questions concerning epilepsy will be answered during an admission period of five days in the epilepsy clinic. You can share your experiences with fellow-patients and you will be given handles for the future.
Kempenhaeghe helps patients with questions about living and related concerns about acceptation and psychological functioning. Immediately usable practical advice about coping with risks, first aid, giving medication, day and night rhythm, etcetera, may be sufficient for you. But Kempenhaeghe offers customized programmes to those who need more intensive counselling to be able to live independently (again).
More information:
>>downloads
Epilepsy and/or medication may cause a child to perform less well at school. Cognitive problems can happen, such as memory, concentration and tempo problems. But also increased emotional stress due to e.g. anxiety, uncertainty and tiredness can make that a child needs extra support.
Ambulant counsellors of De Berkenschutse, the teaching centre affiliated with Kempenhaeghe, help children (and their teachers) with problems at school. Ambulant counsellors hold educational office hours at various Kempenhaeghe outpatient clinics. Please visit the website (in Dutch only) of the Landelijk Werkverband Onderwijs en Epilepsie (LWOE – National Workgroup Epilepsy and Education) for further information about ambulant counselling at www.lwoe.nl.
More information:
>>downloads
Extra support may be needed
Epilepsy can be more than just a problem in the brain. Epilepsy can affect a person's behaviour and self-image. Epilepsy can be the cause or reason for many questions and concerns. About relationships, living, working, educating and learning for instance. A psychologist, social worker and/or epilepsy nurse are ready to help you, depending on the questions you have.
Under the denominator of "Epilepsy, work and society", Kempenhaeghe offers various ways to support you in coping with epilepsy and its implications for your daily life. This support may include a few talks or a training or fellow-patient contact. Some patients are best helped by following a customized support/counselling programme.
