Wellness and Brain Injury Webinar Series Starts July 1
Administration for Community Living • June 19, 2020
Join the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) for a webinar series about how to address two areas focused on wellness and brain injury. Both sessions will be recorded and made available for replay.
Part 1: Sleep and Brain Injury
Wednesday, July 1, noon - 1 pm ET
Sleep is everything. Sleep (or the lack of it) can significantly impact brain function for everyone, and individuals are particularly at risk after brain injury. Accurate assessment of sleep disorders is critical in addressing residuals as is appropriate behavior management. This presentation will discuss:
- Sleep and dementing disease, and how less sleep chemically increases the spread of pathology;
- Various sleep disorders after brain injury;
- The criticality of assessment of sleep disorders; and
- Approaches to behavioral health management of sleep problems.
Presenter: Kim Gorgens, PhD, ABPP,Professor, University of Denver. Dr. Gorgens is an expert in assessment and management of healthy, aging, and injured brains and oversees a large portfolio of TBI research. She has lectured extensively on brain injury (including her 2010 TED talk on youth sports concussion and a 2018 TED talk on brain injuries in criminal justice). Her work has been featured in US News, Newsweek, Salon.com and many others. She is board certified in Rehabilitation Psychology and is the Vice President of the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology.
Part 2: Yoga and Meditation for Brain Injury
Wednesday, July 15, noon - 1 pm ET
This presentation will describe the evidence-based benefits of yoga and meditation for rehabilitation from brain injury and guide participants through examples of brain injury-friendly yoga and meditation practices, which have been shown to improve physical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes. Participants will:
- Be able to explain evidence-based benefits of yoga and meditation for brain injury rehabilitation;
- Experience accessible yoga and meditation practices to understand unique benefits for enhancing well-being and community integration post-injury;
- Understand how key stakeholders in advocacy, health care, research, yoga, and program administration can coordinate efforts to implement this program in communities across the U.S. and Canada; and
- Be able to explain techniques for adapting yoga and meditation for the people with brain injury.
Presenter: Kyla Pearce, PhD, MPH, E-RYT-200, CBIS, Senior Director of Programs, LoveYourBrain Foundation. Dr. Pearce serves as Senior Director of Programs at the LoveYourBrain Foundation, overseeing design, implementation, and evaluation of programming. She has been part of the Pearce family for years, and, following Kevin's accident, played an integral role in the launch of the LoveYourBrain Foundation. Kyla blended her expertise as a yoga teacher and researcher to develop the LoveYourBrain Yoga TBI-centered curriculum, which she trains yoga teachers and clinicians to deliver through yoga studios and health care facilities across the country.
USAging is celebrating 50 years as the national organization that represents Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Aging Programs. As part of the 50th anniversary, USAging has launched a new public awareness campaign— Area Agencies on Aging: Helping You Live Long and Stay Strong . The goal of this campaign is to make the public aware of AAAs as a vital community resource and to educate consumers about the range of important services that AAAs offer to older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. There are more than 600 AAAs serving every community across the country ready to help them to age well where most want—at home and in their community. All people hope to enjoy a long and healthy life—but many find that they need a little help as they go through the aging journey. “Research has shown that two-thirds of older adults will need some support to age well at home,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood. “But people often don’t know about AAA services or seek them out until they are in crisis—thereby missing the opportunity to connect to the range of services that are available to help them age well.” Services Provided by AAAs For Older Adults: Home-delivered and congregate meals: Nutritious meals at home or in group settings. In-home support: Assistance with daily tasks like bathing, cleaning and dressing. Transportation: Rides to medical appointments, stores and community activities. Health and wellness programs: Fall prevention, chronic disease management fitness classes. Benefits counseling: Help understanding and enrolling in Medicare, Medicaid and more. For Caregivers: Respite care: Short-term relief to prevent burnout. Training and support: Educational tools and support groups for caregivers. Information and referral : Guidance to local programs, services and community resources. “By 2035, older adults are expected to outnumber children under age 18 for the first time in the history of this country,” said Markwood. “By 2040, a full 22 percent of the American population will be 65 years or older. Currently, there are more than 53 million unpaid family caregivers in the United States. There has never been a more crucial time for people to learn about AAAs and the services that are available to them to help them live long and stay strong.” For more information, visit www.usaging.org/livelongstaystrong or connect with your local AAA by contacting the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov .
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations nationwide in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM). This month-long observance honors the contributions of seniors in our communities. To mark the occasion, AAA will host and collaborate with local organizations for four special celebration events across East Texas, held at senior centers and community hubs. These events will highlight the importance of connection and the role strong relationships play in maintaining a vibrant, healthy senior population. OAM is a national initiative led by the Administration for Community Living. This year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” challenges outdated perceptions and encourages a fresh perspective on aging. It promotes a shift in how society talks about, understands, and supports older adults, empowering communities to embrace aging in a more positive and inclusive way. Join Us for These Community Celebrations! The following OAM events are open to the public and will feature food, entertainment, door prizes, and valuable information about services available to East Texas seniors: 📅 May 7 – Henderson Community Building, 302 Fair Park, Henderson | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 📅 May 15 – First United Methodist Church, 225 Lovers Ln, Athens | 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM 📅 May 16 – Jefferson Senior Center, 111 W. Broadway, Jefferson | 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM 📅 May 21 – Harrison County Agrilife Extension Office, 2005 Warren Drive, Marshall | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM The AAA advocates for seniors and provides essential services, including benefits counseling, case management, health education, nutrition programs, referrals, and Ombudsman support for those in assisted living. These services promote independence and dignity, helping seniors remain in their communities. For event inquiries, call (903) 218-6500.
