The Supported Living Group

02/19/2026

Brain Injury & Homelessness: A Critical Connection — Especially in Connecticut

A recent Conversation article highlights research showing that brain injury is nearly 10× more common among people experiencing homelessness and that addressing this connection is key to reducing homelessness overall.

In Connecticut, homelessness has been rising for several years. According to the most recent Point-in-Time Count, 3,735 people were experiencing homelessness statewide in 2025, which is up more than 9% from the previous year, with a 45% jump in unsheltered homelessness alone.

Read more here: https://theconversation.com/brain-injury-is-almost-10-times-more-common-in-unhoused-people-addressing-it-is-key-to-reducing-homelessness-270162

For individuals living with brain injury, particularly acquired brain injury (ABI), challenges with cognition, emotional regulation, and daily functioning can make housing stability especially difficult without the right supports. This intersection underscores the importance of trauma-informed, community-based care that helps individuals stay housed and engaged in meaningful life roles.

At The Supported Living Group, we see the impact of these challenges firsthand and believe in advancing supports that prevent homelessness and promote community stability for people with brain injury.

An estimated 22.5 per cent of people experiencing homelessness live with moderate or severe brain injuries — a rate nearly 10 times higher than the general population.

02/13/2026

💖 Our Inspire Arts program is all about creativity, connection, and the power of love. Take a look at these beautiful handmade hearts, each crafted by our artists for someone special in their lives. Every color, every message, and every detail is a reminder that love can shine brightly, even after a brain injury.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.” – Nat King Cole

Wishing everyone a Valentine’s Day filled with love, joy, and connection! ❤️

02/12/2026

💙 Brain Injury and Relationships: Why Connection Matters 💙

Romantic relationships and emotional connections can be deeply affected by brain injury. Many survivors face challenges with communication, intimacy, and confidence—but connection is a critical part of recovery.

Our latest blog explores:
✨ How brain injury impacts romantic relationships
✨ The importance of maintaining independence while building connection
✨ Avoiding infantilization and supporting autonomy
✨ Practical strategies for survivors and their partners

At The Supported Living Group, we help adults with brain injury in Connecticut rebuild meaningful relationships while promoting emotional well-being and independence.

📖 Read the full blog here: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/abi-blog/brain-injury-in-connecticut-how-romantic-relationships-and-connection-are-affected-and-why-support-matters

02/12/2026

A recent study published in Neurology found that people who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether mild or severe, are significantly more likely to qualify for long-term work disability up to five years after the injury compared to those without a brain injury. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260211/Traumatic-brain-injury-linked-to-long-term-work-disability.aspx

This research shows that challenges with work capacity can persist long after the initial injury, emphasizing that recovery isn’t always linear and that long-term support matters.

At The Supported Living Group, we know that every person’s journey after brain injury is unique. Work, routines, and independence can look different post-injury, and that’s okay. What matters most is that individuals receive the individualized, long-term rehabilitation and support they need to thrive in their communities and daily lives.

🤝 Whether it’s vocational support, skill-building, or community connection, we’re here to walk alongside survivors and families every step of the way.

Having a traumatic brain injury, no matter how serious, is associated with a greater likelihood of qualifying for work disability up to five years later, according to a study published February 11, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

02/06/2026

Love is in the air at SLG 💕

Our brain injury support participants have been getting creative in preparation for Valentine’s Day! Painting, crafting, and expressing what love, connection, and joy mean to them.

These moments aren’t just about art; they’re about confidence, self-expression, and community.

Every creation tells a story, and we’re honored to support the process. 💌

02/05/2026

With temperatures dropping this weekend in Connecticut, staying safe and supported is more important than ever for individuals living with brain injuries. Cold weather can increase medical risks, create financial strain, and even disrupt home- and community-based brain injury support services.

Our latest blog explores practical strategies for maintaining safety, independence, and quality of life during the winter months — from managing health risks to preparing your home and planning for care needs.

Read the full blog here: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/abi-blog/winter-challenges-for-brain-injury-survivors-in-connecticut-financial-medical-and-care-support-risks

At The Supported Living Group, we’re here to provide personalized brain injury support services in Connecticut, helping survivors and families navigate winter safely.

💛 Stay warm, stay safe, and keep thriving!

Winter in Connecticut can create unique challenges for brain injury survivors, from medical risks and financial stress to staffing disruptions. The Supported Living Group helps maintain safety, independence, and quality of life through home- and community-based services.

02/05/2026

Recent research published in JAMA Neurology shows that stroke survivors may boost arm function and daily task performance not only by working on the more affected side but also by training the less-impaired arm — the one that still has strength and coordination. Historically, rehab has focused almost exclusively on the side most affected by stroke, but this new approach highlights that both arms — including the “good” arm — can benefit from targeted therapy, leading to faster, more efficient movement for everyday activities. Improvements seen in the study lasted for at least six months after therapy ended.
https://theconversation.com/stroke-survivors-can-counterintuitively-improve-recovery-by-strengthening-their-stronger-arm-new-research-274404

Why this matters:
🔹 Everyday tasks like eating, dressing, and self-care often depend on the arm that is less affected — and optimizing its function can make these tasks easier and less exhausting.
🔹 Strengthening the less-impaired arm may help stroke survivors maintain independence longer and reduce caregiver burden.
🔹 This research challenges traditional rehab models and opens doors to more personalized recovery strategies.

At The Supported Living Group, we know that recovery is a journey — one that looks different for everyone. Every bit of progress, whether big or small, deserves recognition.

If you or someone you care for is navigating stroke recovery, talk with your therapist about all the ways rehab can support functional gains, including targeted strength and coordination work.

Rehabilitation from stroke has traditionally focused on improving the function of the most severely affected arm. But training the other arm might actually lead to more gains.

01/26/2026

❄️💙 A Big Thank You to Our Homecare Heroes! 💙❄️

This past weekend’s snowstorm brought challenges for everyone, but our incredible homecare professionals showed up, braving the weather and going above and beyond, for our service participants. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment do not go unnoticed.

Thank you for making a difference every day, and especially during times like these. You truly embody the heart of our mission! ❤️🏠

01/22/2026

We just came across this insightful video from BBC Reel on ways to protect your brain from aging, and it reminded us of something critical for the brain injury community: brain health isn’t just about what you do on your own, it’s also about connection, creativity, and community.
👉 https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0jdh8px/how-to-protect-your-brain-from-ageing

While protecting our brains through exercise, nutrition, and mental engagement is important for everyone, social connection and creative expression are powerful tools that support cognitive health, resilience, and emotional well-being, especially after brain injury.

That’s why we’re proud of the creative program options we offer at The Supported Living Group, from art workshops to horticulture, and woodworking sessions and group activities, where survivors come together to explore, connect, and create. These aren’t just activities, they’re spaces for friendship, meaning-making, and shared experience.

Whether it’s a laugh over paint splatters, a moment of pride in a finished creation, or the encouragement from a skills trainer or peer who really gets it, these connections matter. They’re a part of brain health too.

Lara Lewington travels to California to meet the scientists and experts researching our brain health.

01/22/2026

This week, The Supported Living Group’s Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) Support Group came together for a hands-on, step-by-step collage-making session designed to foster creativity, connection, and confidence after brain injury.

Collage offers a non-intimidating and highly accessible entry point into creative expression, allowing participants to explore ideas, emotions, and identity using magazines, shapes, images, and text. Through guided discovery and peer support, each individual created something truly unique, reflecting the power of creativity as a tool for healing and self-expression.

Our creative support groups are part of SLG’s community-based brain injury services, which emphasize meaningful engagement, skill-building, and emotional well-being in a supportive environment.

Learn more about our creative support group and view past projects at:
www.inspireartsct.com/biac-supportgroup-creativity

📩 For additional information, contact Rebecca Maloney at
inspirearts@slg-ct.com

01/13/2026

🧠 New Brain Injury Research You Need to Know About
A recent study reveals a hidden and often overlooked form of brain injury affecting survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Repeated concussions and non-fatal strangulation can lead to lasting cognitive changes, even when no diagnosis has been made.

Too many survivors are left without proper screening, support, or recognition—and that’s why this research matters.

📖 Read our latest blog to learn:
✔ How domestic violence can cause brain injury
✔ Why survivors may not realize they’ve been injured
✔ What this means for long-term care and recovery

👉 Read it now: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/abi-blog/new-research-shows-hidden-brain-injury-crisis-in-domestic-violence-survivors

New research reveals how repeated concussion and strangulation in domestic violence can cause lasting brain injury. Learn what this means for survivors.

01/09/2026

An Exhibit by SLG's Inspire Arts Program

Immerse yourself in creativity at Windsor Locks Town Hall and experience the work of artists participating in Inspire Arts, a vocational arts program established by The Supported Living Group. Inspire Arts competitively employs artists, creates meaningful professional opportunities, and raises awareness for individuals living with brain injury and other disabilities across Connecticut.

This exhibition showcases powerful, original artwork that reflects talent, resilience, and lived experience, inviting the community to engage with art that both inspires and informs.

On view: January 9th – 29th, 2026
Location: Windsor Locks Town Hall
50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
(During regular business hours)

To learn more about Inspire Arts and its mission, visit:
www.inspireartsct.com
www.supportedlivinggroup.org