Hello Massachusetts!

Building Community for Brain

Injury Survivors

Lisa Hanson, BWS, CCM, CBIS

Barb Kresge, MS, OTR/L, CBIS

Also contributing: Kelly Redwine, MS, OTR/L and Heather Soldner, MA, CMHC

Questions we hope to

answer today

What is Krempels Center?

What is community?

What is social capital?

Why are these important?

How can you increase your own social

capital or that of your clients living with BI?

We are Krempels Center!

A community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with brain injury

A unique, non-medical model, which provides opportunities for members and families to share their new lives with others who care and “get it”

Founded by a brain injury survivor, David Krempels

Engages members in meaningful & productive experiences

Member driven, member choice

Making the world a

smaller place…

What is Community?

“A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals” (Simpson & Weiner, 1989)

The elements of community include:

Network of people

Commonality of celebration or cause

Regularity (ideally)

comm (with) + unity (connectedness)

Community “Culture”

As a community meets on a regular basis, it

begins to frame behaviors and patterns,

forming a “culture.”

Culture may be

implied/tacit or

explicit

Today’s group norms:

Everyone’s opinion is valid

Raise hand if you have something to say

Opportunities for participation are built in to

the presentation – Please save questions

until the end whenever possible

Presenters may redirect or put off a

question/comment to later in order to stick

to the time schedule

Let’s find out about you and

your communities.

SOCIAL CAPITAL “The connections and relationships that

develop around community and the value

those relationships hold for the members”

(Condeluci, 2002)

Why is social capital important?

Research shows that social capital, social

integration and a sense of community leads

to increased life satisfaction and wellness.

Decreased isolation and depression

Increased longevity

Improved health

Increased quality of life

(Burleigh, Farber & Gillard, 1998)

(Tomberg, Toomela, Pulver & Tikk, 2005)

How has brain injury impacted

your social capital? Brain injury survivors – Think about this

from your own perspective

Family members – Think about this from

your own perspective

Professionals – Think about this from the

perspective of your clients and their families

Strategies for improving social capital for

brain injury survivors and families

What YOU can do…

Participate in communities on a regular basis

Make an effort to understand cultural norms

Find similarities/subgroups within communities (Look for conduits)

Choose a support person with strong social skills who values social capital

Find ways to contribute to a community

Consider sharing your challenges and letting people know if/how they can help

What YOU can do continued…

Tell your story!

Improve awareness (especially “anticipatory awareness”) about your challenges

Look for opportunities to spend time with BI peers (e.g. Peer support groups)

Understand and utilize the power of community gatekeepers

Hone and utilize networking skills

Hone conversation skills and general knowledge

What caregivers/professionals

can do Make cultural norms explicit

Choose a support person with strong social skills who values social capital

Offer opportunities to improve social skills (therapy, role-playing)

Include social capital goals in IEP’s and agency plans of care

Get survivors out in their own communities sooner!

What OTHERS can do

part two… Be certain to use person-centered goals (Therapists take on a “coach/consultant” role)

Include peer-support opportunities in all settings (experts and therapists are paid professionals, not peers)

Make every effort to adapt the environment to support the person, not vice-versa

Offer opportunities for control and choices “Nothing for me without me.”

YOU have the power to

make it happen!

www.krempelscenter.org

References

Burleigh, Susan A., Ruth S. Farber, and Marian Gillard. "Community Integration and Life Satisfaction after Traumatic Brain Injury: Long Term Findings." The American Journal of Occupaional Therapy 52.1 (1998): 45-52.

Condeluci, Al. "The Power and Potency of Social Capital." Brain Injury Professional 2011: 8-11.

Evans, Lizzie, and Claire Brewis. "T Efficacy of Community-based Rehabilitation Programmes Fr Adults with TBI." International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 15.10 (2008): 446-58.

Flaherty, Patti. "Social Capital and Its Relevance in Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services." Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 29 (2008): 141-46.

References

Hoofien, Dan, Assaf Gilboa, Ei Vakil, and Peter Donovick. "Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 10-20 Years Later: A Comprehensive Outcome Study of Psychiatric Symptomatology, Cognitive Abilities and Psychosocial Functioning." Brain Injury 15.3 (2001): 189-209.

Krych, David, and Joanne Finegan. "Balancing the "Cost" of Contra-Social Behavior with One's Social Capital: Considerations for Brain Injury Professionals." Brain Injury Professional 2011: 16-21.

Parris, Angela, and Tamara Granger. "The Power and Relativity of Social Capital." Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 29 (2008): 165-71.

References

Seaton, David. "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: The Applications of Culture Change T Improve Long-Term Care Ater Brain Injury." Brain Injury Professional 2011: 22-25.

Simpson, J. A., and E. S. C. Weiner. The Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford:Clarendon, 1989

Tomberg, T., A. Toomela, A. Pulver, and A. Tikk. "Coping Strategies, Social Support, Life Orientation and Health Related Quality of Life following Brain Injury." Brain Inury 19.14 (2005): 1181-190.

Williams, Janet. "Social Capital: What Are the Community CLUES?" Brain Injury Professional 2011: 12-15.