Occupational Therapy
At MNDSA, we have a team of qualified and specialised Occupational Therapists (OT) and Allied Health Assistants (AHA) who provide expert support to individuals living with MND to assist with maintaining independence, safety, and comfort throughout the MND journey. Occupational Therapists support individuals to adapt to their changing symptoms and enhance their quality of life.
Allied Health Services
The Occupational Therapy team complete comprehensive assessments and are guided by theoretical models that underpin their practice. This allows the OT team to provide tailored recommendations to help with managing activities of daily living (ADLs), and to maintain involvement with work, social, and/or leisure activities, focusing on whatever is most important to the individual.
This may include recommendations on home modifications to maximise function and mobility, specialised equipment to suit the individual’s needs, and/or alternate ways of completing activities to maximise participation. The allied health team can also provide recommendations and support with posture and positioning, fatigue management, and psychological, behavioural, and cognitive strategies. Ongoing assessments and reviews occur throughout the MND journey to provide continuity of care, and to ensure timely intervention as the disease progresses.
The Allied Health Assistants work under the guidance of the Occupational Therapy team to provide support with implementing therapy plans, trialling recommended equipment, and completing follow up education and training.
Access Technology and Communication Services
The Access Technology and Communication Service addresses the specific access and communication needs of individuals living with MND. Access refers to the way that individuals living with MND use their devices, technology, and other tools to enable communication and engagement with their digital world, even as physical capabilities change.
The service focuses on ensuring that individuals living with MND have appropriate access to devices to enable communication and connectedness to the digital world. This allows individuals to express their wants and needs, stay engaged with meaningful activities, and to maintain independent access to their technology.
Equipment Services
MNDSA has an equipment service that is available to any individual living with MND. The broad range of specialised equipment includes but is not limited to:
- Electric adjustable beds
- Pressure care mattresses
- Transfer aids such as mobile hoists, electric stand lifters, gantry hoists, and slings
- Shower chairs, toilet seat raisers, and bedside commodes
- Mobile shower commodes
- Mobility aids such as 4-wheeled-walkers
- Manual wheelchairs
- Powered wheelchairs
- Pressure care cushions
- Electric adjustable recliner chairs
- Neck collars
- Access Technology and Communication devices (e.g. eye gaze, tablets, switches, alternate mouses)
Equipment is loaned to clients on a hire basis and must be assessed for and recommended by a suitably qualified allied health professional.