Wellness Center
Cognitive and physical fitness for brain injury
SLI-Wellness Center - Enhanced Brain Injury Programs Supportive Living, Inc. (SLI), a provider of long-term housing and rehabilitative care for survivors of brain injury, is currently developing the SLI-Wellness Center.
The three primary goals of the Wellness Center programs are to:
Increase the overall well-being of adult survivors of brain injury by providing rehabilitative programs for physical, cognitive, communication and behavioral challenges caused by the injury.
Develop the basic skills required for these survivors of brain injury to integrate back into the community based on the level of their improved abilities. Program results will enable clients to participate in activities based on capabilities, with a heavy emphasis on job training – for volunteer work or paid employment. Vocational program activities will include evaluation of work skills in real work settings, assistance in determining a suitable work goal through one-to-one counseling with the individual, job placement assistance and follow-up until natural supports in the job can be used.
Inherent to these first two goals is the improved sense of self, well-being, confidence and life satisfaction.
Study, in a cooperative effort with regional academic and medical institutions, the effectiveness of Wellness Center programs and share the results and learning with other brain injury rehabilitative programs as well as the brain injury research and provider community.
To provide these programs, SLI will develop a 3000 square foot area at SLI’s Douglas House residential program in Lexington, MA. The center will include:
Workstations with computer(s) and software tools for cognitive rehabilitation. Computer assisted exercises have been used to improve attention, memory, and organizational skills, and the Wellness Center will have these tools available for individual, self-paced work.
Exercise rooms complete with the equipment that can help survivors improve on a variety of physical challenges, e.g. balance, strength, gait, and coordination. Equipment will be used for basic exercise programs and specific physical therapy needs.
A universally accessible kitchen area for independent living skills training that can also serve as a function area for use by survivors.
Private multi-function rooms for survivors and family, staff, and therapist consultations and for individual and group rehabilitation activities, e.g. expressive arts therapy, expressive writing therapy, and photovoice, which have been successfully employed by brain injury survivor support groups in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
A recreational area where Wellness Center members can socialize, practice communication and relationship skills, and relax in a welcoming and supportive environment.
An Advisory Council comprised of brain injury professionals has been established to consult on the development of these programs. A Capital Campaign to raise monies to fund the project was initiated in the fall of 2009 and will run through June 2011. The project budget is $300,000. As of June 2010 $100,000 has been raised. The Center will be opening in phases throughout 2010, with completion in 2011. For more information on the project please contact: Peter J. Noonan, Executive Director at peter.noonan@verizon.net or 781-937-3199.
