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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, home modification, 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

ALS & Activities of Daily Living

While no two people with ALS are alike or will progress the same way, there is a great deal of collective knowledge and wisdom available from your ALS Care Team, people living with ALS and caregivers. Our intention is to provide you with information that you may need today and tomorrow. You may not need some of the devices in this guide. Reading all the sections at one time can be overwhelming. We highly recommend that you focus on the information that pertains to your present circumstances. We created this information guide to help you navigate all the changes that may occur due to ALS. In this guide you will find information on devices that can help you complete your daily activities. Daily activities include eating and drinking, dressing, toileting, bathing, oral hygiene, grooming and recreation and sleep. This guide provides tips to make daily living a little easier, if you should need extra help.

https://lesturnerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Daily-Living-Guide-Final.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Care and Support Guides and Manuals, Equipment, Communications and Assistive Technology, For Clinicians, For Families and 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

  • 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

  • Joy Blakeley, Diagnosed 2017 - MND Australia

    Joy Blakeley, Diagnosed 2017 – MND Australia

  • Chen Chun-Chin

    Chen Chun-Chin

  • Alberto Baez Murillo, Colombia

    Alberto Baez Murillo, Colombia

  • Ali Var, Turkey

    Ali Var, Turkey

  • Len Johnrose, MND Association, Diagnosed 2017, England

    Len Johnrose, MND Association, Diagnosed 2017, England

  • Fernando Ocampo Cardona, Colombia

    Fernando Ocampo Cardona, Colombia

  • Denis Blais, Diagnosed 2015 - ALS Canada

    Denis Blais, Diagnosed 2015 – ALS Canada

  • Jeff Sutherland

    Jeff Sutherland
    jspic

  • Wilfried Leusing, Diagnosed 2010 - DGM, Germany

    Wilfried Leusing, Diagnosed 2010 – DGM, Germany

  • Richard Clark, MND New Zealand, Diagnosed 2011, New Zealand

    Richard Clark, MND New Zealand, Diagnosed 2011, New Zealand

  • Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 - MND Australia

    Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 – MND Australia

  • Brian Lovell, Diagnosed 2011 - MND Australia

    Brian Lovell, Diagnosed 2011 – MND Australia

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

    Antonio Ventriglia, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2013, Belgium

  • Frank "Papa" Taylor

    Frank “Papa” Taylor

  • Lachlan Terry, MND Australia, Diagnosed 2015, Australia

    Lachlan Terry, MND Australia, Diagnosed 2015, Australia

  • David Watson, MND Scotland, Diagnosed 2018, Scotland

    David Watson, MND Scotland, Diagnosed 2018, Scotland

  • Luis Antonio Pimenta Lima, Brazil

    Luis Antonio Pimenta Lima, Brazil

  • Margreth Burger-Saile, Diagnosed 2011 - ALS Schweiz, Switzerland

    Margreth Burger-Saile, Diagnosed 2011 – ALS Schweiz, Switzerland

  • Oliver Juenke, DGM, Germany

    Oliver Juenke, DGM, Germany

  • Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001 - ALS Netherlands

    Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001 – ALS Netherlands

  • Roxana Canova, Diagnosed 2012 - Asociación ELA Argentina

    Roxana Canova, Diagnosed 2012 – Asociación ELA Argentina

  • Timothy Holman, Switzerland

    Timothy Holman, Switzerland

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

    Susan Anderson, Diagnosed 2014 – Hope Loves Company, USA

  • Alejandro Aquino, Diagnosed 2011 - Asociación ELA Argentina

    Alejandro Aquino, Diagnosed 2011 – Asociación ELA Argentina

  • Mark Miller

    Mark Miller

  • England-Lee-Millard, UK

    England-Lee-Millard, UK

  • Mary Thomas, Diagnosed 2013 - MND Australia

    Mary Thomas, Diagnosed 2013 – MND Australia

  • Nicholas (Nic) Bowman, MND Association of South Africa, Diagnosed 2016, Australia

    Nicholas (Nic) Bowman, MND Association of South Africa, Diagnosed 2016, Australia

  • Liong Ting Ngu, MND Malaysia, Diagnosed 2014, Malaysia

    Liong Ting Ngu, MND Malaysia, Diagnosed 2014, Malaysia

  • Willi Klein

    Willi Klein

  • Carlos Gomez Matallanas, Diagnosed 2014 - FUNDELA, Spain

    Carlos Gomez Matallanas, Diagnosed 2014 – FUNDELA, Spain

  • Danny Reviers, Diagnosed 1979 - ALS Liga België, Belgium

    Danny Reviers, Diagnosed 1979 – ALS Liga België, Belgium

  • Eddy LeFrançois, Diagnosed 1992 - ALS Canada

    Eddy LeFrançois, Diagnosed 1992 – ALS Canada

  • Karl Hughes, Diagnosed 2010 - IMNDA, Ireland

    Karl Hughes, Diagnosed 2010 – IMNDA, Ireland

  • Phil Rossall, MND-Association, UK

    Phil Rossall, MND-Association, UK

  • Sally Pauls, Diagnosed 2006 - Les Turner ALS Foundation

    Sally Pauls, Diagnosed 2006 – Les Turner ALS Foundation

  • Joyce Rusinak, Forbes Norris ALS Center, USA

    Joyce Rusinak, Forbes Norris ALS Center, USA

  • Cath Muir

    Cath Muir
    Cath

  • 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

  • Roy

    Roy
    roy

  • Steve Lufkin, USA

    Steve Lufkin, USA
    IMG_3993

  • Elisabeth Zahnd, Switzerland

    Elisabeth Zahnd, Switzerland

  • Valdomiro Xavier Honório, Brazil

    Valdomiro Xavier Honório, Brazil

  • Francisco Perez Palop, Diagnosed 2013 - FUNDELA, Spain

    Francisco Perez Palop, Diagnosed 2013 – FUNDELA, Spain

  • Duncan Bayly - MND Australia

    Duncan Bayly – MND Australia

  • Jon Newsome, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Jon Newsome, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • UK-Mahmood-Anwar

    UK-Mahmood-Anwar

  • Guido De Mets, Belgium

    Guido De Mets, Belgium

  • Christian Bär, Germany

    Christian Bär, Germany

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