October 31, 2018 by Angela

November is National Family Caregivers Month

At Schurig Center, we know how important family caregivers are! Every day, we see the love, commitment, time, and support family caregivers provide their loved ones as they navigate life after brain injury.

It’s wonderful that an entire month is dedicated to honoring family caregivers and providing education to the community about how much caregivers offer those in need of help.

Did you know?

Family members provide over 75% of caregiving support in the United States.

44 million Americans care for a family member, friend, or neighbor.

When a person experiences a brain injury, it can affect the entire family. Providing physical, emotional, and financial care is a daily reality for millions of American families and it poses a great strain on the caregiver, many of whom are struggling to balance work and family responsibilities. Caregivers are heroes that deserve honor and recognition for all they do.

Please join us this month in celebrating and thanking these heroes who do so much to keep our families and communities strong, each and every day.

Here’s just a few ways
to celebrate your family caregiver…

Start by saying “thanks.”

A “thank you” can go a long way in showing your love and appreciation. It can be as simple as sharing a heartfelt “thank you” in person or in a card, poem, letter, or note.

Give them a day off.

Plan a date to give your caregiver a day to do whatever they want. If it’s challenging to manage your daily tasks without your caregiver, consider hiring temporary help as an alternative or ask a family member of friend to help out for the day.

Give a thoughtful gift.

Think about what your family caregiver would appreciate most. Flowers, a gift card, a book or even a favorite coffee drink are all wonderful gifts that show your appreciation for all of their hard work.

Spend some quality time together.

Quality time with your caregiver can be a great way to remember your shared bond beyond the daily routine of caregiving. Watch a favorite movie together, play a board game, look through old photo albums, or sit together in the park. Spend some time together doing something that brings you both joy.

Remind them to take some time for themselves.

Family caregivers are less likely than non-caregivers to practice preventive healthcare and self-care behavior. Give your family caregiver the nudge they need to take some time out of the day for themselves. Whether it’s 15 minutes or a couple of hours of taking a nap, reading a book, or exercising, a little bit of ‘me’ time will go a long way to help your caregiver recharge their battery.

If you are a caregiver, please remember…
You are not alone. We are here to help!

Schurig Center offers services to support family members in adapting to the life changes that result from a brain injury, including resource referral assistance, consultation and a Family and Caregiver Support Group.

For more information, contact our Resource & Intake Specialist at:
(415) 461-6771 x100
resources@schurigcenter.org

July 31, 2018 by Angela

Honoring Caregivers with Sunshine & Summer Fun

Schurig Center began because of the vision of a caregiver – Karen – who believed being with others who understand and who truly care, leads to a better life than being alone. Over 30 years later, that vision carries on.

At this year’s Summer Solstice Social, we celebrated the amazing community that has grown around our center and honored caregivers for their love, support, and caring. On June 23, our “tribe” gathered on the center’s serene deck to enjoy tasty BBQ hot off the grill and homemade ice cream while listening to the soulful live music of Joey Wolpert and Bob Hahn from the B Sharp Blues Band. Plus, caregivers were treated to gifts and some much-deserved pampering and relaxation, including massages from Chrissy Kors.

The highlight of the afternoon was the sharing of appreciation by staff and guests for the contributions that caregivers make each and every day in the lives of their loved one or client.

Executive Director Patricia Gill kicked off the love fest, “We have witnessed the strength of caregivers, and the challenges faced in being there always, for the ones you love. It is probably the toughest role a person has in life, caregiving, and one of the most rewarding. To make life better for someone we love – is a gift and purpose that brings tears of heartache at times, and tears of joy.”

Art Program Director Midge Casler echoed these sentiments, “Over the years, I have met a lot of caregivers. It’s clear to me they are very special people. Some are born knowing they want to do this work and come into the role as a job and some are caregivers out of necessity to care for a loved one. But, they are all special and require an ability to care with patience, love, attention, observation, and focus – just to name a few of the qualities. Often times, the caregivers may see some of the worst or most difficult times and behaviors from their loved ones, but let me assure you that here at Schurig Center we witness the immense love and appreciation they feel for all of you.”

Program Coordinator Sara Chambers was pleased to read “Like a Sunflower,” a moving poem conceived and collaboratively written by Therapeutic Program clients in honor of each of their family members and caregivers.

To read “Like a Sunflower” click here or to download and print a copy of the poem featuring original sunflower artwork created by Schurig artists, click here.

Thank you family members and caregivers!

For being here, for staying strong and resilient for your loved one, for allowing Schurig Center to be part of your journey and for allowing us to support you as well. Our work, and our lives, are enhanced by knowing you and being witness to your love and caring.

Thank you for helping to make this year’s Summer Solstice Social so memorable!

Thank you volunteers: Sandy Gilpatrick, Ellen Takayama, Jessica Thompson, Ramona Xenakis, and photographer Debbie and Todd Wright. Special thanks to Karen Halvorsen and Gwen and Martin Gans for helping to create a beautiful garden setting for all to relax and enjoy.

July 30, 2018 by Angela

Like a Sunflower

Conceived and collaboratively written by Therapeutic Program participants in honor of their amazing family members and caregivers. To download and print a copy of the poem with original sunflower artwork created by Schurig Center artists, click here.

Before I was thrown off the path of my life,
I was me and you were you.
Whether you joined this journey before or after,
Thank you dearly for all you do.

You take me out to see
The sea
The Bay
The world
Because of you my isolation has uncurled.

Like a sunflower, you help me expand
my horizons, petal by petal, moment by small moment.

Your allowing me to be steeped in this world is everything.
Everything!

I pet an animal, give it food.
I feel the sandy beach improve my mood.

Like a sunflower
you are biggest when you are slow with me.
Strong in your attention to my pace;
Matching me there you show your grace.

Loving me may sometimes be hard,
yet overall your care for me remains unmarred.
You’ve stood with me after head injury,
even when it’s hard to love myself and not get testy.

Your patience and belief in me are enduring gifts.
Your encouragement fills me even when your presence drifts.
At life’s darkest you wove my past into hopeful future possibility.

>Even in the hospital you made the case.
You said I’m brave, smart, athletic, powerful.

Still you whisper, or shout:
Go for it!
You can do it!

You tell me, told me.
Believe in yourself!
You are a fighter, a competitor!

And oh yeah, you said:
You are darn funny, too.
Silly, special you.

At Schurig we learned a quote
that Simone Weil wrote:
“Attention is the rarest form of generosity,”
she said, not knowing she spoke of your luminosity.

Today I celebrate your care and your heart
Trying to capture them with my art.

Grasping at words like a wishing star,
humbly honoring the Sunflower you are.