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.
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme was “Champion Your Health.” In recognition of the month, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas hosted three community events in Jacksonville, Marshall, and Athens, bringing together older adults, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and community partners to celebrate healthy aging and support older adults’ independence. More than 420 people attended the three events, where they received information and heard from experts on senior services, exercise programs, fraud and scams, and ways to take an active role in managing their health. Activities included on-site health screenings, evidence-based activity demonstrations, a Dementia Live demonstration, and the TxDOT Car Fit Program for Seniors. At some events, local officials also read proclamations recognizing May as Older Americans Month, including Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, who presented the proclamation in Jacksonville. “We encourage older East Texans and their caregivers to connect with our agency to learn more about the resources and services available to help them live independently and remain active in their communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Special thanks to all event partners, sponsors, volunteers, AAA staff, and participants who helped make these Older Americans Month events a success!
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
