October 30, 2018 by Angela

Occupational Therapy at Schurig Center – A Rehabilitation Tool Changing Lives

Occupational Therapy (OT) is an effective rehabilitation therapy for survivors of brain injury, concussion or stroke that is offered at Schurig Center in group classes and in individual sessions. We realize that many survivors and their families are unaware of what OT is and the benefits it offers. Let’s learn more about OT, who can benefit from it, and the services offered at Schurig Center.

Maggie Smida, OTR-L is Schurig Center’s Occupational Therapist. Maggie received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at San Jose State University and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She came to us from UCSF Medical Center where she gained valuable experience in acute care setting. Maggie has created tailored OT protocols specific to brain injury rehabilitation for survivors who are no longer receiving insurance covered OT and who benefit from continued rehabilitation.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is one of three main rehabilitation therapies: Physical, Speech, and Occupational. The therapy name can be misleading since the purpose is not to help the client get back to work (though some OT’s can do that!). OT’s purpose is to maximize independent living and facilitate a productive fulfilling lifestyle. It’s called “occupational” therapy because the word “occupation” refers to any task a person performs which “occupies” their time. These can be fun hobbies or necessary activities for daily living.

The scope of practice is quite broad! OT’s are trained to address basic skills, such as brushing teeth or getting dressed (i.e. after stroke, living with neurodegenerative disease, etc.) all the way to managing a checkbook and supporting socializing with others. However, most OT’s end up specializing in a specific practice area.

Maggie’s specialization here at Schurig Center is considered non-traditional OT. She focuses on training people living with brain injury to use new “lifestyle systems” that will help them live fuller, more satisfying lives. These systems are devised to support management of daily routine and schedule, help organize personal business and household management tasks, sort out priorities, and facilitate participation in meaningful activities. Typically, these are areas not addressed during traditional rehabilitation stays.

Who could benefit from Occupational Therapy?

A joke in OT training school is that “everyone can benefit from a little OT.” However, it is mostly directed toward anyone who is having difficulty participating in activities they need or want to do because of injury, disease, or disability. An OT’s focus is always to support greater independence. Sometimes the way OT facilitates the accomplishment of a client’s goal for independence is through rehabilitative steps. Other times, it is by teaching adaptive strategies, work arounds, or a different way to complete an activity.

What do you work on in an Occupational Therapy session?

That very much depends on a client’s goal. Typically, OT sessions start with the OT learning about what activities a client wants to get better at doing. Then they determine his or her barriers to participating in or completing the activity. Finally, a plan is created that includes education and training for the client. Each session we work towards the goal.

What is CogSmart?

CogSmart is a 10-week compensatory cognitive training class for people with post concussive symptoms and/or mild TBI. The curriculum was developed by a team in neuro-rehabilitation at the San Diego VA. The course teaches lifestyle management, trains students in coping strategies, and introduces external aids and mental strategies all designed to support cognition function. Here at Schurig Center, Maggie adapted the curriculum to benefit the specific needs of our clients living with symptoms of a concussion.

As the facilitator, what is Maggie’s favorite thing about CogSMART?

Maggie shared that she really enjoys teaching in a small group setting, and she loves the practicality of the course content. Students regularly share what strategies have worked or not worked for them, their own ideas, and complete in class exercises in pairs. It is great to see how the support of those who understand each other can make a difference in the human condition. The peer support seems to have such a positive impact on motivation and facing the challenge of a brain injury with resilience.

Do you think you would benefit from Occupational Therapy?

Schurig Center offers one-on-one Occupational Therapy sessions as well as CogSMART 1 and CogSMART 2 classes based on Dr. Elizabeth Twamley’s protocol from UC San Diego.

For more information and to enroll, contact Schurig Center’s Resource Specialist at resources@schurigcenter.org or (415) 461-6771 ext 100.

June 11, 2018 by Angela

Let’s Talk About Aphasia

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month

According to the National Aphasia Association, aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence. Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others, and most people with aphasia experience difficulty reading and writing.

Aphasia affects about two million Americans. The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. About 25-40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia. However, any type of head injury or other neurological causes can cause aphasia.

There are many types of aphasia. Some people have difficulty speaking while others may struggle to follow a conversation. In some people, aphasia is fairly mild and you might not notice it right away. In other cases, it can be very severe, affecting speaking, writing, reading, and listening. While specific symptoms can vary greatly, what all people with aphasia have in common are difficulties in communicating.

Communicating with People Affected by Aphasia

Below are a few helpful tips on how to communicate with a person who has aphasia. To download a free copy of the “Communicating Through the Barriers” poster below, visit the National Aphasia Associations website here.

Improve Your Communications Skills at Schurig Center

If you or a loved one is experiencing aphasia after a stroke or other neurological impairment, there is a place to go to improve your communication skills! We are pleased to offer a 10-week Aphasia Communication Group. Taught by a license speech therapist, this class provides the opportunity to practice and develop communication and cognitive skills in a supportive environment. Topics covered include: engaging in conversation, body language, communication strategies, listening skills, connections with friends, family, and your community. To get more info about this group, please visit our classes page here.

May 9, 2018 by Angela

Ingredients for Increased Independence and Fun

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
…and a dash of YOU!

Guy Fieri, local chef and restaurateur, believes “Food is about the people.”
Here at Schurig Center, we couldn’t agree more!

Group Cooking is a popular class offered monthly at Schurig Center. The class brings together staff, volunteers, and clients for a morning of good food, good fun, and great people. Many survivors are working towards the goal of living more independently after their brain injury. Relearning and improving the skills needed for daily living, such as cooking, are essential to achieving this goal.

Chefs in this class have the chance to practice basic adaptive kitchen and food preparation, planning, focus and concentration, following multi-stepped tasks, fine motor skills, and working as a team. It’s a safe place to relearn how to mix, chop, measure, pour, and bake. A place where spills or adding too much flour aren’t “mistakes” they are just part of the learning process.

Every chef’s improvement in ability, no matter how small, is celebrated as a group. Every completed recipe is so much more than just a tasty meal to these chefs. It’s one more step in their journey to recovery and re-engaging in life as they are now.

The chefs recently tackled a recipe for Scarborough Fair Quiche. The final product turned out delicious and even received rave reviews from the toughest food critics of all…their families! Give the recipe (below) a try for your next Sunday brunch.

Michelle, who survived a car accident and lives with the effects of traumatic brain injury, commented in cooking class this week: “This is so great, I love this! I can’t wait to take it home and share it with my family.”

You Make This Healing Possible

Individual donors make life-changing services, like Group Cooking, possible. In fact, 85% of Schurig Center’s revenue comes from foundations and donors. So, without YOU, this class truly wouldn’t exist. Only you can help survivors in Marin and the Bay Area rebuild their lives after a brain injury.

Join them on their journey…Donate online today!

Scarborough Fair Quiche

Ingredients
3 large eggs lightly beaten
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
½ cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup (2 oz) shredded jack cheese
½ cup (2 oz) shredded parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon dried sage
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
9-inch pie crust

(When substituting fresh herbs, always triple the amount of dried herbs called for.)

Adjust oven rack to the middle position. Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, salt and fresh black pepper. Sprinkle ½ of the cheese on the bottom of the pie crust. Sprinkle the herbs over the cheese, and then top with the remaining cheese.

Gently pour in egg mixture. Place quiche on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate the quiche for even browning. Continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the mixture is set and lightly browned. Test by inserting a knife in the center. When the custard has set the knife will come out clean. Set the quiche on a wire rack to cool before cutting.