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International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations

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Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living

People living with ALS/MND may experience muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, or other symptoms that make everyday activities difficult. The ability to accomplish tasks people often consider “simple” or even automatic can be impacted by the progression of ALS/MND.

The symptoms of ALS/MND can impact a range of tasks such as grooming, dressing, sleeping, driving, and eating and drinking. Many tools, devices, and equipment are available for people living with ALS/MND to make these tasks easier. Ramps, lifts, wheelchairs, specialized utensils, and even clothing options can aid or support daily activities.

To maintain their quality of life, people living with ALS/MND can work together with their multidisciplinary healthcare team to manage difficulties with everyday tasks. The occupational therapist is the main point of contact for overcoming certain challenges a person may have with daily tasks. However, this team can also include the general practitioner, a physiotherapist, technical advisors, and a social worker.

As people living with ALS/MND have their individual needs, preferences, problems, and living arrangements, the occupational therapist works with the person to find appropriate solutions. Occupational therapists can support people with mobility, household tasks, self-care activities, work and occupations, socializing, communication, and other everyday activities.

For more information on the occupational therapist’s role and support for daily living, refer to the resources provided below.

Click on the icon below to visit our playlist of videos related to Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living.

The following are resources from Members of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations on the topic of Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living.

What Does the Occupational Therapist Do?

The ALS Centrum Nederlands provides information on the occupational therapist’s role and how they aim to help people with ALS/MND.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/kennisplatform/wat-doet-de-ergotherapeut/

Language: Dutch
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapy, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team

Occupational Therapy

The many applications and benefits of occupational therapy are discussed in this resource provided by the ALS Liga België. This page outlines the goals and outcomes of occupational therapy and discusses the occupational therapist’s role. People can find out more about the process of occupational therapy appointments within this resource. Common tools and aids that a person living with ALS/MND may use with occupational therapy are also discussed.

https://als.be/en/Occupational-therapy

Language: French, English, Dutch, German
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapists, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND

Occupational Therapy and MND

This resource for Occupational Therapists contains the PDF slide deck from a past presentation by Sarah Solomon from the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. This presentation discusses considerations for Occupational Therapists when working with people living with ALS/MND and tools and resources that can be beneficial.

https://www.alsmndalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/0900-W1-Sarah-Solomon-International-MND-Symposium-OT-presentation-SOLOMON-2019.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapists, Tools for Daily Living, For Occupational Therapists, For Healthcare Providers

Daily Living Activities

This resource provides tips and strategies to accomplish everyday activities for people living with ALS/MND. The ALS Association (ALSA) covers various topics such as eating, transportation, and getting dressed. Within this resource is a downloadable manual to be used in conjunction with an occupational therapist or other healthcare providers. The manual provides detailed strategies for making everyday tasks easier. It also describes how people living with ALS/MND can use different equipment and tools to support daily living.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/living-with-als/daily-living-activities

Language: English
Subject Areas: Daily Living, Daily Activities, For People with ALS, For Caregivers

Everyday Activities

The Irish MND Association (iMNDA) developed a detailed resource with information on everyday activities for people living with ALS/MND and caregivers. This resource introduces the multidisciplinary team that individuals may work with, including the occupational therapist, and their roles in supporting everyday activities. There is also information on strategies and tools that people living with ALS/MND and caregivers can use to make daily living and activities accessible.

http://imnda.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/5-EVERYDAY-ACTIVITIES.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapist, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Daily Living, Physical Activities, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Work and MND

The MNDA provides a thorough resource detailing the different aspects of ALS/MND diagnoses and their impacts on a person’s work. This resource details how ALS/MND may impact employment, how and when to decide to leave work, and how to have these discussions with your employer.

https://www.mndassociation.org/app/uploads/2015/07/10E-Work-and-MND.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: For People with ALS, For Caregivers, Daily Living, Work

Resources/Tools

This page from the ALS Centrum Nederlands supplies many resources for people with ALS/MND and caregivers. These resources include information on strategies and tools to aid daily living, such as in the home, work, and society.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/themas/hulpmiddelen/bewegen-hulpmiddelen-bij-als/

Language: Dutch
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapy, Activities, Tools for Daily Living, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Products to Aid in Daily Living

A list of products and links to more information on each item listed is provided by ALSA. Products listed may help in daily activities (i.e. eating, transportation) for people living with ALS/MND.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/products-aid-daily-living

Language: English
Subject Areas: Daily Activities, Daily Living, Tools for Daily Living, For People with ALS, For Caregivers

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Care services

  • Genetic Counselling & Testing
  • Mental Health Support
  • Nursing and Symptom Management
  • Nutrition and Swallowing
  • Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living
  • Physiotherapy and Mobility
  • Respiratory Care
  • Speech Therapy and Communication
  • Support for Family & Caregivers
  • Technology

  • Inta Grubb, Diagnosed 2014 - MND Australia

    Inta Grubb, Diagnosed 2014 – MND Australia

  • Valdomiro-Xavier-Honorio-ABrELA

    Valdomiro-Xavier-Honorio-ABrELA

  • Brigitte Wernli, Association ALS Switzerland, Diagnosed 2014, Switzerland

    Brigitte Wernli, Association ALS Switzerland, Diagnosed 2014, Switzerland

  • Jon Newsome, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Jon Newsome, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • Soledad Rodriguez, FUNDELA, Diagnosed 2013, Spain

    Soledad Rodriguez, FUNDELA, Diagnosed 2013, Spain

  • Angie Bordaen, Diagnosed 2014 - ALS Liga België, Belgium

    Angie Bordaen, Diagnosed 2014 – ALS Liga België, Belgium

  • Frank "Papa" Taylor

    Frank “Papa” Taylor

  • 20200117_214643

    20200117_214643

  • Ian Roberts

    Ian Roberts

  • Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 - Prize4Life, Israel

    Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 – Prize4Life, Israel

  • Glen Elison, ALS Hope Foundation, Diagnosed 2019, USA

    Glen Elison, ALS Hope Foundation, Diagnosed 2019, USA

  • Zelina-Brito-Diagnosed-2018-Brazil

    Zelina-Brito-Diagnosed-2018-Brazil

  • Steven Spencer, Diagnosed 2014 - MND New Zealand

    Steven Spencer, Diagnosed 2014 – MND New Zealand

  • Elkin-Ramiro-Gaviria-Muñoz-diagnosed-Dec-2018-v3

    Elkin-Ramiro-Gaviria-Muñoz-diagnosed-Dec-2018-v3

  • Oliver Juenke, DGM, Germany

    Oliver Juenke, DGM, Germany

  • Elizabeth-y-Juvenal-v2

    Elizabeth-y-Juvenal-v2

  • Ann-Nicol

    Ann-Nicol

  • Joy Blakeley, Diagnosed 2017 - MND Australia

    Joy Blakeley, Diagnosed 2017 – MND Australia

  • Denis Blais, Diagnosed 2015 - ALS Canada

    Denis Blais, Diagnosed 2015 – ALS Canada

  • Francisco Perez Palop, Diagnosed 2013 - FUNDELA, Spain

    Francisco Perez Palop, Diagnosed 2013 – FUNDELA, Spain

  • Orlando Ruiz, Diagnosed 2001 - ACELA, Colombia

    Orlando Ruiz, Diagnosed 2001 – ACELA, Colombia

  • Charlie “Hark” Dourney, Diagnosed 2007 - Hark ALS, USA

    Charlie “Hark” Dourney, Diagnosed 2007 – Hark ALS, USA

  • Cath

    Cath

  • Willi-Klein

    Willi-Klein

  • Mike Rannie, ALS Canada, Diagnosed 2017, Canada

    Mike Rannie, ALS Canada, Diagnosed 2017, Canada

  • Ailsa Malcolm-Hutton, Diagnosed 2013 - MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

    Ailsa Malcolm-Hutton, Diagnosed 2013 – MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

  • Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 - ALS Canada

    Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 – ALS Canada

  • IMG_3993

    IMG_3993

  • Duncan Bayly - MND Australia

    Duncan Bayly – MND Australia

  • Sally Pauls, Diagnosed 2006 - Les Turner ALS Foundation

    Sally Pauls, Diagnosed 2006 – Les Turner ALS Foundation

  • Kirsten Harley, Diagnosed 2013 - Australia

    Kirsten Harley, Diagnosed 2013 – Australia

  • roy

    roy

  • Susan Anderson, Diagnosed 2014 - Hope Loves Company, USA

    Susan Anderson, Diagnosed 2014 – Hope Loves Company, USA

  • Zabun Nassar, MND Association, Diagnosed 2016, England

    Zabun Nassar, MND Association, Diagnosed 2016, England

  • pALS-Guido-De-Mets-ALS-Liga-Belgium

    pALS-Guido-De-Mets-ALS-Liga-Belgium

  • Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001 - ALS Netherlands

    Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001 – ALS Netherlands

  • 9B63A612-09B4-453E-8430-B76DB0AB5196

    9B63A612-09B4-453E-8430-B76DB0AB5196

  • ALS-0571

    ALS-0571

  • Josée Kolijn-de Man, Diagnosed 2015 - ALS Patients Connected, The Netherlands

    Josée Kolijn-de Man, Diagnosed 2015 – ALS Patients Connected, The Netherlands

  • Mark-Miller

    Mark-Miller

  • Erwin Coppejans, Diagnosed 2007 - ALS Liga België, Belgium

    Erwin Coppejans, Diagnosed 2007 – ALS Liga België, Belgium

  • David-Bishop-copy-2

    David-Bishop-copy-2

  • Wilfried Leusing, Diagnosed 2010 - DGM, Germany

    Wilfried Leusing, Diagnosed 2010 – DGM, Germany

  • Jo-and-her-dog-2

    Jo-and-her-dog-2

  • Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 - MND Australia

    Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 – MND Australia

  • Monica Soriano, Diagnosed 2011 - Asociación ELA Argentina

    Monica Soriano, Diagnosed 2011 – Asociación ELA Argentina

  • MND-Robbie-Caliste

    MND-Robbie-Caliste

  • Antonio Ventriglia, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2013, Belgium

    Antonio Ventriglia, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2013, Belgium

  • Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Asha Ek Hope Foundation for ALS/MND, Diagnosed 2018, India

    Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Asha Ek Hope Foundation for ALS/MND, Diagnosed 2018, India

  • MoF-Christian-Bär

    MoF-Christian-Bär

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