Whilst the MND journey will be different for each individual, MND will have impacts on many aspects of your life. It is important that you pay close attention to taking good care of yourself.
Your multidisciplinary care team will have strategies and suggestions about how best to manage and minimize these impacts, so that you can live as well as possible for as long as possible.
Physical needs such as:
- Moving about
- Energy
- Breathing
- Sleep
- Maintaining body warmth
- Pain, stiffness and cramps
- Neck strength
- Hand and arm function
Speak to your advisor and multidisciplinary care team about any change to your physical needs. They will be able to advise you on strategies and equipment that will help minimize the impact of these changes.
Communication such as:
- Speech
- Facial expressions
- Hand gestures
- Body language
- Writing
- Typing
Your Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist and MND Advisor will have useful strategies and suggestions and can recommend assistive technology to help with communication.
Personal care such as:
- Going to the toilet
- Bathing
- Washing your hair
- Getting dressed and undressed
Your Occupational Therapist and your MND Victoria Advisor will have helpful strategies and suggestions for managing personal care tasks independently for as long as possible and to support those who are caring for you to do this safely.
Emotional needs such as:
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
- Worrying
- Uncontrolled crying or laughing
- Physical intimacy
Your GP, neurologist or a specialist counsellor will be able to assist with changes to your emotional needs. MND Victoria’s Group programs can assist to link you to others who are having similar experiences as you.
Eating and drinking such as:
- Cooking
- Using crockery and cutlery
- Holding a cup or glass
- Chewing and swallowing
- Diet and weight
Occupational therapists, speech pathologists and dieticians will be able to assist with strategies, suggestions and specialized equipment to assist with any changes to eating and drinking.
Home comfort such as:
- Chairs
- Beds
- Working light switches, appliances and computers
Your occupational therapist or other allied health professionals can assist with tips and strategies to assist with being comfortable at home. MND Victoria’s Equipment Service has a wide range of commonly used items available to people with MND.