Extra support may be needed

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).

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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).

Kempenhaeghe provides support if you are contending with employment problems related to your epilepsy. You will search for answers to your questions, your personal future and/or opportunities for education and employment with the help of a social worker/employment consultant and/or psychologist. Teaching centre De Berkenschutse is involved in this process as well. Furthermore, Kempenhaeghe organizes job interview trainings for people with epilepsy.

Epileptic children sometimes have learning and/or behavioural problems as a result of their epilepsy and/or medication. Such problems can raise all kinds of questions: How do I cope with rules, protection? How do I explain my child's problem? Kempenhaeghe's specialist nurses can help you in finding answers to questions about raising a child with epilepsy. They will visit you at home if necessary.

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.

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Epilepsy and associated problems can be so complicated that you and/or your carer are unable to indicate precisely what kind of help you need. One of Kempenhaeghe's social workers and/or epilepsy nurses can help you in formulating your care needs. Then you will be able to find your way to the right care worker inside or outside Kempenhaeghe.