In Home Care for people living with Motor Neurone Disease

What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)?

Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive disease that causes rapid muscle deterioration. This happens, when the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow undergo degeneration and die. With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste.

Onset and progression

The pattern of weakness and rate of progression varies from person to person. Some people can live a long time with MND, but the average life expectancy is 2-5 years from diagnosis. MND is uncommon but not rare, with approximately 1400 people in Australia living with the disease. Most people diagnosed are aged between 50 and 60, but MND can occur at any age.

Early symptoms may be mild and may include:

• Stumbling caused by weakness of the leg muscles.
• Difficulty holding objects caused by weakness of the hand muscles.
• Slurring of speech or swallowing difficulties due to weakness of the tongue and throat muscles.
• Cramps and muscle twitching.

As the disease progresses symptoms may include: 

• Breathing difficulties from decreased lung capacity caused by muscle weakness.
• Fatigue caused by muscle exhaustion, metabolic changes, weight loss and reduced food intake, decreased lung capacity.
• Insomnia caused by discomfort, pain from stiff joints and muscles, excessive saliva, dry mouth or breathing problems.
• Mild changes in cognitive skills and processes and/or behavioural change.
• Fronto-temporal cognitive changes (a type of dementia), which is prominent in 5-10% of MND cases.
• Excessive laughing or crying due to damage to the upper motor neurones.
• Some pain or discomfort.

Intellect, memory, sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch and bowels and bladder remain unaffected.

At Daughterly care we understand that each person’s needs will be different and may vary from time to time as the disease progresses. As People with Motor Neurone Disease gradually lose the use of their muscles, they often require assistance with the activities of daily living. This could include:

• Personal care; toileting, bathing, dressing and
• Light housekeeping.
• Shopping
• Appointments.
• Social support.
• Meal Preparation.
• Respite (for when a family member needs a break).
• Bed bathing.

Our care plans are tailored to suit individual and family needs and can be adapted/changed at any time. We offer flexible, client centred services on an hourly, Palliative, End of Life Care, 24 hour and Live In Care basis. We are happy to have one of our team come and meet with you to discuss your in home care needs and answer any questions you might have.

5th of June 2015

Thank you to Lyndie 

I thought I would let you know that P (living with Motor Neurone) is on his final run, he was moved to hospital last Tuesday and has worsened substantially since your last photos of only 10 days ago.  He is at a point of not having to struggle. His sons and I are staying constantly with him until the end, we will be in contact.  Again you made a very positive difference at his life’s end.  God bless you.

Wife of Mr R