The team at Mountain Valley is committed to providing education and support to the communities we serve.
Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation hospital strives to provide transitional and ongoing support for brain injury survivors in our community by offering a once a month, in-person support group. Mountain Valley’s support group is led by Speech Therapist and Therapy Lead Erin Aafedt, M.A. CCC-SLP, and Mary Novar, BSW, MA.
Completely free and open to the public, the support group is open to survivors of brain injuries, such as stroke, brain cancer, traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury and encephalopathy, as well as their families.
Brain injury survivors often struggle with changes in cognition like increased forgetfulness, lack of attention, word finding difficulty and understanding new information. Fatigue can limit how much they can do, which can be frustrating for both them and their families. Often, they need more time to complete tasks.
Family and friends supporting those with brain injuries have struggles, too. Household responsibilities that used to be shared may not be able to be split equally or may fall to one person. And sometimes brain injury survivors have changes in personality that can affect their ability to regulate emotions. This can affect their current relationships as well as their ability to create new ones.
For some, the thought of returning to work or school may seem overwhelming. But it’s not impossible with the right tools and support.
The goal of the group is to bring survivors and families together to share experiences, connect with other people and work through strategies to be able to better manage their daily lives in a safe, welcoming environment.
Participation in the support group offers survivors an opportunity to practice self-expression, enhance social skills and build confidence – a crucial aspect of the emotional regulation process that many struggle with post-injury. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, members feel less isolated and more confident in dealing with daily challenges. Feedback from their peers can help them discover new approaches to adapt and thrive in their “new normal.”
The group format also helps survivors practice self-expression in a safe, non-judgmental environment. This can help them build stronger social skills, which can be part of the emotional regulation process that some struggle with.
Aafedt emphasizes the group’s role as a resource for recovery. Beyond discussions of challenges and solutions, the group leaders aim to have a little fun, too! Brain games are a regular feature, allowing attendees to connect with one another, stimulate cognitive function and enjoy a little laughter on the journey.
In addition, Novar is available to offer family members support with these transitions in a more private setting.
The team at Mountain Valley is committed to providing education and support to the communities we serve. The brain injury support group meets from 3-4 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month, at our facility. No registration is required. Come as you are – we’d love to see you! QCBN
By Tami Jones
For more information, call 928-775-7877.
Tami Jones is the director of marketing and business development at Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.
Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is a 44-bed, free-standing rehabilitation hospital that provides physical rehabilitation services to patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions. The hospital is consistently ranked in the Top 10% of inpatient rehabilitation facilities nationally and is certified by The Joint Commission in Stroke and Brain Injury.
3700 N. Windsong Drive • Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 • 928-758-8800 • www.mvrrh.ernesthealth.com
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