Sarah Newton and Jackie Creek provide support to people in the region with MNDThe ninth Big Freeze event was held at the MCG last weekend ahead of MND Awareness Week which runs from 19-25 June.
MND is a progressive neurological disease affecting nerve cells that control muscles used in movement, speech, swallowing and breathing.
In Australia, on average, two people die each day from MND and two people are diagnosed*. Closer to home, care providers in the Hume Region are at any one time providing support for up to a dozen people with MND.
Sarah Newton is the Motor Neurone Disease Shared Care Worker in the Hume Region and provides support to health professionals and community care providers through education.
“As MND progresses, care needs can change quite quickly and we help care providers navigate this and plan care options accordingly,” Sarah said.
“MND affects people in very different ways and the presentation of symptoms and requirements for support can vary between patients.”
“We liaise closely with the MND Victoria Advisor and support to provide up-to-date advice, which can be particularly helpful for staff who have limited or mixed experiences caring for people with MND.”
Sarah said that supporting care providers across the region helped people with MND to have the care they need at home with the support of district nursing and personal care assistants.
The Shared Care service also provides education to hospice volunteers and palliative care teams.
“Our goal is to help people live the life they want by supporting the care providers around them.”
For more information about Motor Neuron Disease, people are encouraged to contact MND Victoria or their GP.
* https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/mnd-connect/for-health-professionals-service-providers/overview-of-mnd-for-health-professionals