We are celebrating Allied Health Professions Day on Saturday 15 October 2023. Allied health professionals play an important role in providing multidisciplinary care and support to people living with MND.
The theme for this year is ‘Stronger Together’ which places an emphasis on the benefits of multidisciplinary care.
Multidisciplinary care is a term used to describe coordinated input from a range of health and community care professionals. Multidisciplinary teams for people living with MND include clinical staff consisting of Neurologists, Gastroenterologists, General Practitioners, Nurses, Respiratory specialists along with a range of allied health professionals.
Allied health professionals are critical to supporting people living with MND. Types of Allied Health Professions regularly involved in the care of people with MND include:
Dietetics
Maintaining weight is important for people living with MND. Dietitians provide nutritional advice to support a person to manage diet and nutrition.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists (OT) provide advice about mobility, function, and everyday tasks, including equipment prescription and home modifications.
Palliative Care
Palliative care can provide interventions to improve quality of life, emotional support and to support future planning. Palliative care teams regularly include Occupational Therapists and other allied health professionals who specialise in supporting people with life limiting illnesses like MND. GP referral is generally required.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists can provide support assisting pain management, physical activity, mobility, stretching, breathing, and positioning.
Psychology
Psychologists provide support with emotional well-being and the development of strategies to continue to participate in the community. GP referral required.
Speech Pathology
Speech Pathologists (SP) can assist in providing support with communication, swallowing and saliva management.
Social Work
Social Workers (SW) provide general counselling and provide information about community services.
Other members of the multidisciplinary team
Other important members of the multidisciplinary team are community care professionals and professions who support the coordination of services, including NDIS Support Coordinators and Care Coordinators for people accessing support from My Aged Care. MND Advisors also play an important role in the multidisciplinary team and work closely with a range of allied health professions.
Show your support for Allied Health Professions Day
To show your support for Allied Health Professions Day and to assist to raise further awareness for allied health professionals by sharing social media posts and using the following hashtags: #AHPsDay2023 and #StrongerTogether.
Thank you!
Today we are celebrating all members of the multidisciplinary care team with a special thank you to the allied health professions that are critical to supporting people with MND to live better for longer.
Further information
For further information visit:
- Health Professional Support for MND | MND Australia | MND Australia
- Multidisciplinary Care in MND: Factsheet | MND Australia | MND Australia
- Allied Health Professions Day - Allied Health Professions Australia (ahpa.com.au)
