Community Services
You have received a diagnosis of MND, and need toknow where to go for help. If your everyday living is affected by the MND you need to have a social care assessment.
Your hospital may refer you on to all relevant services and it is worth asking if they will do so. Your GP will also be able to refer you and you can also contact the Social Services, Adult Care Department direct.
If you have previously received an assessment by any of these services, you will still need to contact them with details of your diagnosis. MND is a progressive illness and you needs may change more regularly than they may have done in the past.
Occupational Therapy
If you need specialist equipment and/or adaptations to the home to enable you to remain as independent as possible in your everyday activities, it is advisable to seek an assessment from an Occupational Therapist (OT). The equipment they can provide may be free from the Social Services, or they may carry out a means test for any larger items or adaptations.
Other organisations may be able to loan out equipment free of charge.
Please see
Everyday Activities (119 kb) for the range of help available from the OT.
Social Services
A Social Care Assessment will be needed to help identify any personal care needs. The level of care will be determined by the assessment. There will be a means test to see if any financial contribution will be required.
NHS Services
NHS services include:
GP
Your GP can provide support and information prior to diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease. He/she is able to prescribe treatment for the control of symptoms and can refer to an appropriate specialist.
Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist can help with advice on an appropriate exercise programme, which will help with problems caused by decreased mobility.
Community/District nurses
The district nurse can offer help with nursing care and equipment provision and is contacted through your GP surgery.
Speech Therapist
Can give advice on communication aids when speech becomes a problem. They also can suggest ways to improve swallowing, when the throat muscles make eating and drinking a problem. See
Speech and Communication (126 kb) for more information.
Dietitian
As eating becomes more of a problem the dietician can suggest foods which are more easily swallowed, they can also advise on a diet which will help to prevent an excessive weight loss. See
Eating and Drinking (214 kb) for more advice.
Life With MND
