What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)?

Motor Neurone Disease or “MND” is a group of diseases that affects types of nerves called motor neurons. They carry messages to control movements such as walking, breathing, eating, and swallowing. As the nerves are damaged, it leads to progressive weakness over time. Currently, there is no cure for MND, however, it is a well-researched area and there are a number of clinical trials that are investigating the effectiveness and safety of new treatments and interventions.

MND Support Networks

Understandably, finding out you or your loved one has MND can be very overwhelming. It can be difficult to know what to do next, and it can be challenging to process and adjust to the changes that are happening.

Having the right support team, skilled in MND, and having concerns addressed in a timely manner can make a big difference to feeling more in control. MND NSW is an excellent source of support for people with MND.

MND NSW offers services such as the MND advisory service where you or your family members can be provided with information and guided to services that are relevant for you. MND NSW can also connect you to other people with MND through support groups, provide assistive technology, and advocate for you. When you feel ready, MND NSW also offers a broad range of educational content to help you understand more about MND.

Multi-Disciplinary Team

Having a multidisciplinary healthcare team that works together to ensure that your goals are addressed holistically and in a coordinated manner, can also make a big difference. This can help you feel more supported and prepared for the changes that you may encounter. The team of health professionals typically includes a neurologist, MND nurse, neurological physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, respiratory physiotherapist, dietician, and psychologist. Each of these disciplines bring a specialised set of skills to address problems that are unique to each individual.

Each person with MND is unique in how they present, as MND may progress at different rates and symptoms may appear in different orders from person to person. Therefore, having regular contact with health professionals will enable you to best address these evolving presentations and plan for the future. For example, physiotherapists and occupational therapists together with the wider multidisciplinary team can identify ways to improve independence, mobility, reduce discomfort, and manage fatigue through the use of a variety of strategies including assistive technology.

How ARC Can Help

Planning for the future, even from an early stage, can help to improve a sense of control. It can be difficult to think about what may lie ahead, however having discussions about lifestyle, health, financial decisions and what is most important to you and your family, can bring a degree of peace to you and those around you.

If you are unsure of who you should have involved, or perhaps even what you might be needing support with, reach out to our team who will support you in working through these questions and will link you with other services as needed.

You can contact Advance Rehab Centre at referrals@archealth.com.au or by ringing the clinic at (02) 9906 7777 to organise an initial assessment, or contact the MND info line.