This article brings you the Top-5 questions MND community members have asked us at the MND Info Line.
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1. What are some home remedies to assist with managing thick saliva?
People living with MND can experience thick saliva. This may occur due to dehydration, weak cough, positioning and breathing through the mouth which evaporates saliva.
There are a few home remedies that may help reduce thicken saliva. They are:
- Sipping or sucking on ice cubes of juices that are natural mucolytic agents, including grape, apple, pineapple or papaya.
- Papaya lozenges.
- Swabbing the mouth with water or a mouth wash consisting of water, bicarbonate of soda or salt.
- Using the assisted cough technique which can be shown to you by a physiotherapist.
If you require further support, contact your allied health team for further tips and advice.
Further Information
- Living with MND Aspects of Care for people with MND, their family and friends
- MND Connect- Saliva Management
- MND Connect- Eating, drinking and swallowing
2. What utensils and aids can be used to assist with feeding?
Modified eating and drinking aids include:
- modified cups, like the Provale Dysphagia cup
- easy grip cutlery
- non-slip mats
- robotic feeders.
FlexEquip has recently introduced Robotic Feeders into the equipment loan pool, which includes the ‘Neater Eater’ and the ‘Obi’. There is limited stock, and these reserved for people with a diagnosis of MND. Loans are limited to a six-month period and are not available for individual rental.
Ask your occupational therapist for more information about modified cutlery.
Further information:
- FlexEquip – Eating Aids
- Living with MND Aspects of Care for people with MND, their family and friends
- MND Connect- Eating, Drinking and Swallowing
3. What education programs does MND NSW have available?
MND Upskill
MND Upskill is a new program delivering in-person workshops for health professionals and for people who provide care and support to a person with MND.
Learn more about MND, symptoms and symptom management strategies. The workshops include practical tips and information about how to support a person with MND.
We are delivering the sessions in three locations in 2023 and many more in 2024.
Find out more:
Newly Diagnoses Information Sessions
Newly diagnosed information sessions are held monthly. These sessions provide an overview of what MND is, symptom management strategies and the supports available through MND NSW.
MND Hub
Our online MND Hub has a range of courses on topics related to MND. Our most popular course is MND Aware. It provides the learner with a basic understanding of MND and the impact that it has on someone’s life, providing specific information about care, symptom management and wellbeing.
4. Who is eligible for FlexEquip?
To be eligible for FlexEquip a person must be either be a NDIS participant diagnosed with a progressive neurological condition including:
- a NDIS participant diagnosed with motor neurone disease or
- a NDIS participant diagnosed with another progressive neurological condition.
OR a person diagnosed with motor neurone disease and need:
- short to medium-term use of assistive technology (up to 12 months) or
- longer term use of assistive technology (more than 12 months), but need short-term use of assistive technology, while you apply for equipment from the NSW government equipment service, EnableNSW.
Visit the FlexEquip Product Library to view the items available for hire.
5. Does MND NSW have a program for carers?
Yes. Our carer program offers online support groups as well as other in person wellbeing and education events throughout the year. You can sign up to join our carer mentor program to share experiences with a past carer. Complete our online intake form to start the registration process and sign up to the carer program.