Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery

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October 21, 2020 by Angela

Your Generosity Ensures No One is Alone

rainbow heart inside heart outlineAs I reflect on Schurig Center’s 35 years, I am inspired and energized by the healing power of a caring community. I hope this note will also lift your spirits by reminding you of the good that you personally help make possible even in these toughest of times. Because of you, no one is alone.

“I’d be terrible.” That’s how John, a stroke survivor, described what life would be like for him without you.

John has severe aphasia, a paralyzed arm, and is unable to read and write. He also lives alone and is confined to his apartment during shelter-in-place. But, happily, John is able to stay connected and continue his recovery in Schurig Center’s speech group, computer class, and art therapy, which are now offered remotely and are powered by your generosity. In the words of his sister, Augusta, these services you help provide are “lifesaving” for John and a “huge relief” for his family.

Together, we’re helping more people.

Despite the pandemic, people are still getting brain injuries. We are still receiving new calls for help. And, the costs to provide services has not changed. Remote services have enabled people outside the Bay Area to attend our programs, and we’ve added a second survivor support group. Over 455 people this past year have been helped by our array of services. While we are serving more people than ever before, 70% of our clients live on a low income and rely on scholarships funded by community members, like you, to access care.

There is much need right now, and I know you are likely receiving many asks. But, if you are in a position to help, I hope you will donate to Schurig Center today as you make your holiday charitable gifts and give as generously as you can.

Your gift by December 31 helps ensure that your fellow community members living with a brain injury stay healthy, connected, and knowing they are not alone. Thank you!

With gratitude,
Patricia Gill, MS
Executive Director

Filed Under: Thank You Community Supporters, Uncategorized, Ways You Can Help Tagged With: art therapy, brain injury, caregiver, charity, concussion, covid response, do good, donate, fundraiser, give, help, holiday giving, Marin, rehabilitation, San Francisco Bay Area, speech therapy, stroke, survivor

September 26, 2018 by Angela

Strategies for Continued Improvement

Improve a little each day quoteGoing home after a long stay in the hospital can be exciting. But it is important to note, recovery may not be complete when inpatient rehabilitation concludes.

You will have learned important strategies during inpatient rehabilitation that will help make the transition from institution to the community safe and successful. It is very important that these techniques be used consistently and reinforced regularly.

And although exciting, leaving the hospital can be challenging for a number of reasons. One of the less obvious reasons is the fact that often a survivor of brain injury feels that he will “be fine once I am home and in my own space.” The exact opposite may be the case. In a less familiar, more structured environment (like a hospital), individuals tend to be more attentive and aware of their surroundings. When a therapist or doctor is observing you, you tend to be focused on the approaches and techniques they taught you. The presence of a nurse, physician or therapist provides “cueing” even if nothing is said.

If the situation at home lacks structure and supervision or does not encourage carryover of the strategies taught during inpatient rehabilitation, there may be a slip back in function and possibly even safety issues.

Once an individual gets home after being hospitalized for a long period, the desire to continue therapy may diminish. Encouraging continued rehabilitative efforts may involve some cheerleading, but it is important that the process continue.

Recommended strategies for optimal performance and continued improvement after leaving the hospital:

Staying consistent with compensatory strategies

You or your loved one will have learned a number of compensatory strategies while in rehabilitation that need to be consistently maintained after leaving the hospital. This may include keeping a set schedule from which the survivor does not waiver. He may also need checklists to complete the morning routine or organizers to plan daily activities and schedule appointments. And it’s crucial that he avoids situations (typically identified during rehabilitation) that trigger undesirable reactions or behaviors. These can include places that are noisy, bright, crowded, hot or cold—or avoiding complex, unfamiliar or new tasks at times when the brain injured person is tired, hungry, hot or cold.

Rest

Regular rest breaks or naps should be a scheduled part of her day. She won’t need excessive sleep, but it’s important to make sure she has scheduled downtime every day. Inadequate sleep or rest can lead to undesirable behavior and/or decreased cognitive function.

Nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet, with adequate fluid intake, is crucial to helping the brain-injured person function at maximal level. Ask your doctor about sugar, caffeine and alcohol use.

Exercise

Regular exercise and activity is an important part of every day. Keeping active is not only good for the body, but the mind and brain. The extent and type of the exercise should be cleared by your physician.

Social contacts, especially with brain-injured peers

Being with people is important for everybody. And for the brain injured individual, it’s particularly important to connect with others who have been through a similar experience. There are support groups, day treatment programs and adaptive courses—many available through local community colleges—that can provide a brain-injured person a structured way to be with other people.

Preventing a secondary injury

In order to prevent a secondary injury, it is important to monitor the brain-injured person’s behavior. She may need to be supervised when engaging in new, unpracticed activities. And, as noted above, she will need to avoid situations that may cause undesired behavior or reactions. She will need to avoid recreational drug and alcohol use.

Accessing answers to questions as they come up

The facility that discharged you home would be the first place to contact when questions arise. If they are unable to answer your questions, ask where they can refer you. This may well be a community based brain injury organization or a state level association. A great deal of general information is available on line.


More helpful information…

Handbook photo

Brain Injury Information Handbook

This article is an excerpt from Schurig Center’s Brain Injury Information Handbook – a guide for patients and families from hospital to home. View and download your free copy of the handbook here for more helpful information to help you navigate the journey to recovery after a brain injury, concussion or stroke.

Resource Referral Assistance

You are not alone. We are here to help! Schurig Center is also pleased to offer referral resource assistance to help support you in your recovery process. Get more information about this service and access our online resource directory here.

Filed Under: For Family & Caregivers, For Survivors Tagged With: aneurysm, brain injury, caregiver, concussion, exercise, handbook, information, Marin, nutrition, recovery, resources, rest, San Francisco Bay Area, Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery, Sonoma, stroke, survivor, tumor

August 23, 2018 by Angela

Commit to a 30-Day Self-Care Challenge

Do you ever forget to take care of yourself? Many of us do, especially if we are care giving for a loved one or work in a “helping” profession. Finding time to take care of ourselves can be hard. But, routinely putting the needs of others before our own can lead to depression, burnout, and other health issues.

Self-care isn’t selfish.
It’s essential.

By taking a few time-outs daily for yourself to reduce stress and improve your well-being, you’ll find you are able to be more fully there for others.

Remember…
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
You must fill your cup first.

Self-Care Awareness Month in September is a perfect time to renew your commitment to making self-care a part of your daily routine. The term “self-care” may conjure up visions of expensive spa days or vacations. However, there are many simple, inexpensive ways to integrate self-care into our daily lives, and there are no “rules.” Just do an activity that you find enjoyable or relaxing and practice being good to yourself.

50 Simple Ideas to Make Self-Care Part of Your Day

  1. Meditate for 5-10 minutes
  2. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for
  3. Sit down at the table for breakfast every morning
  4. Read for 15 minutes before bed
  5. Light incense or a candle
  6. Do something creative without caring whether it’s “good”
  7. Stretch
  8. Write down one thing each day you love about yourself
  9. Watch 30 minutes of that show you’ve been meaning to catch up on
  10. Cook a special meal for yourself
  11. Take a walk rain or shine
  12. Get up 20 minutes earlier than your regular time
  13. Spend 15 minutes organizing a space in your home
  14. Give yourself a facial
  15. Go on a short bike ride
  16. Stay hydrated, drink half your body weight in ounces of water
  17. Eat a piece of fruit each day
  18. Forgive yourself for what you couldn’t do today, and resolve to try again tomorrow
  19. Treat yourself to a gift, even a small one, just because
  20. Sit down and enjoy a crossword or sudoku Puzzle
  21. Take a different way to work
  22. Wake up slowly…don’t check email in bed
  23. Buy fresh flowers
  24. Listen to an inspiring podcast
  25. Make time for play
  26. Watch “how-to” videos on something you’ve always wanted to learn
  27. Spend 15 minutes listening to your favorite music
  28. Cuddle with a pet
  29. Text a friend and let them know why they matter to you
  30. Take a bubble bath
  31. Watch sunset or sunrise
  32. Take a photo of something that makes you happy
  33. Write down one thing each day that made you laugh
  34. Spend 15 minutes drawing or doodling
  35. Make tea before bed
  36. Give yourself a hand and foot massage
  37. Take a power nap
  38. Meet a friend for lunch who you haven’t seen in a while
  39. Take a walk without your phone
  40. Go to the local pool
  41. Start your morning with fresh juice or a smoothie
  42. Walk 10,000 steps
  43. Take 10 deep breaths in and out in the morning and before bed
  44. Try Qi Gong
  45. Go to a park
  46. Visit the library
  47. Unplug and unwind…Turn off all electronics early
  48. Set a bedtime and stick to it
  49. Do something spontaneous or out of the ordinary
  50. Make time each day to do absolutely nothing!

Filed Under: For Family & Caregivers, For Survivors Tagged With: caregiver, caregiving, Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery, self-care

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1132 Magnolia Avenue
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 461-6771
501(c)(3) Charity #68-0105213
Legal Name: Marin Brain Injury Network



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