For 40 years, Skills Plus has been assisting stroke survivors and other physically disabled adults regain functional, social, cognitive, and physical skills through interactive classes and a strong support system.
Skills Plus is an affordable, awarding winning program that:
- Provides training and activities focused on functional skills and independence.
- Offers opportunities for group interaction and socialization.
- Has caring capable instructors who are healthcare professionals.
- Provides a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment.
Stroke survivors, people with Parkinson’s Disease and other major neurological conditions.
The Skills Plus Program offers classes in the following areas:
Mobility Skills
Students learn skills to improve their mobility whether transferring from a wheelchair to walking without a device. We focus on maintaining and improving confidence and greater independence with mobility. Students are guided and encouraged in a group setting to improve strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance. Included in this course are supervised activities which improve balance, posture, and body awareness for all students. Students learn safe use of exercise equipment and can even practice safe transitions to/from different surfaces. All students will receive reinforcement of techniques or adaptations as they previously learned in their prior mobility instruction.
Adaptive Activity and Exercise
Students will maintain or improve strength, flexibility, coordination, awareness and function of the upper body. Students will learn upper body exercises and how to modify them to meet their needs. Students can also participate in activities of daily living such as dressing, meal preparation, art, board games and adaptive sports.
Communication and Cognition Skills
The goal of the classes is for students to gain confidence in communication or cognition and thus improve quality of life. Students learn strategies for a variety of areas including word finding, expanding length of sentences, and increasing verbal clarity with the goal of participating in conversation and meaningful everyday activities. Students may also work on cognitive skills such as increasing attention, memory, and functional problem solving. Sessions will also focus on developing compensatory strategies for challenging areas in communication and cognition.
Fall classes will start on term will be Thursday, August 14, 2025. Please see term dates below.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the program, individuals must be able to engage in and benefit from a group setting. They must meet the following criteria:
Be 18 years of age or older.
Be continent (able to control bowel and bladder) and able to access and use the restroom independently.
Be able to eat and drink without behaviors that may disrupt the group (e.g., coughing, spitting, choking).
Not exhibit wandering behavior.
If a caregiver will be present at all times to assist with toileting, eating, or wandering concerns, exceptions may be considered.
Please call and speak with the Supervisor to discuss any special circumstances.
Observation
If you are enrolling for the first time, please contact us at 408-423-3570 to arrange for a appointment to observe the program. Observations usually take place on Tuesdays at 11 am.
Assessment
If the program is right for you, call to schedule an appointment for an assessment at (408) 423-3570. The appointment lasts about one hour. The one-time assessment fee is $50.00. There are no refunds.
Medical Clearance Form
A Medical Clearance Form filled out and signed by a physician is required. When the students comes in for the assessment, he/she needs to bring in the completed form. The form must be on file in the office prior to participation in the program.