For 30 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 licensed and credentialed medical professionals.
- Provides a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment.
Clients work hard to improve their functional skills like learning to walk and being able to communicate with their loved ones. It is in mastering these basic skills that allows the stroke survivor to live at home and continue to be a part of their family.
Services are geared toward stroke survivors but are not limited to that group. People with Parkinson disease, chronic heart and lung disease as well as other related physical disorders can benefit from the program.Skills Plus offers classes in mobility and communication skills as well as independent living activities. There are also monthly caregiver classes. Please help spread the word about the services that Skills Plus offers. Perhaps you already know about Skills Plus, or maybe you know someone who could benefit from the program.
Stroke survivors, people with Parkinson’s Disease and other major neurological conditions. Must be 18 years old.
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.
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 FORM
A Medical Clearance Form filled out and signed by a physician is required. When the client comes in for the assessment, he/she needs to bring in the completed form. The Medical Clearance Form must be on file in the office prior to participation in the program.
REQUIREMENTS
Clients who attend the program must be able to participate in and gain from a group experience. They must be (1) 18 years of age or older; (2) continent of bowel and bladder, and able to access the bathroom; (3) able to manage oral intake in a way that does not produce disruptive behaviors (i.e. coughing, spitting, choking); and (4) does not wander. Please call and speak to the Supervisor about special considerations; (i.e., if a caregiver is always present to manage bowel, bladder, swallowing, and/or wandering, the client may attend.)
The Skills Plus Program offers classes in three different areas:
Mobility Skills
Students learn skills to improve their mobility whether transfering 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 Exercise
Each student will have an exercise program tailored specifically for them. The class focuses on flexibility and balance through core training, as well as muscle and strength development training. Students will find that this exercise program will increase their endurance and everyday skills.
Independent Living Skills
Upper Body
Students develop their trunk their trunk and shoulder blade range of motion, with accompanied arm range of motion, strength and coordination. Through group exercise and attention to each individual’s goals, students learn the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of their body’s ability to reach their potential. Participants that use the learned techniques during their daily routines, with extra awareness to postural alignment and balance, will have improved confidence with their overall mobility.
Upper Body Exercise and Activities
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. Adaptive golf and adaptive ping pong in the classroom is included.
Communication Skills
Speech
The goal of the class is for students to gain confidence in communication and improve quality of life. Students learn strategies for a variety of areas including word finding, sentence complexity, intelligibility, and verbal clarity. Content may focus on improving cognitive-linguistic skills needed for daily functioning and community activity such as shopping, dining and other desired activities. Students may also work on cognitive skills such as concentration, memory compensation, functional problem solving and reasoning. Sessions focus on developing compensatory strategies for challenging areas. Students work on fundamental problem solving such as goal attainment, personal safety and participation in the community.
Reading, Writing and Computer
Students focus on improving speech, language and cognitive-linguistic skills while completing a variety of activities, including reading and written work (worksheets, special projects related to interest areas) and computer activity (basic skills, use of simple software, home program for mental skills) or a group activity. The class is designed to meet the students’ needs and desires while helping them become more independent at home and in the community.