Keeping safe at home Guidance now published

For many people with MND, leaving the house is a challenge. Decreasing mobility leaves them relying on support from both people and equipment to get around.

Tom, who is living with MND said: “We have 11 steps outside our house and I can’t get out without assistance from a two-person ambulance team and an evacuation chair. It’s a bit of a whiteknuckle ride.”

As people progress with MND, it becomes even more crucial to adapt to changing symptoms and ensure their home remains as safe and accessible as possible. This does not have to be about large adaptations, simply moving trip hazards or making small adjustments can make a big difference.

To help you stay safe in your home we’ve published guidance on our website covering a wide range of potential problems and solutions www. mndassociation.org/safety On the page you can access links to relevant organisations and reputable advice.

Asking for an assessment through adult social care services is a good first step to understanding your own needs and how they might be met. Further help is available from occupational therapists who can look at your home and suggest different ways of doing things, and physiotherapists who can advise on things like managing and preventing falls. These specialist services can also provide recommendations, advice, gadgets and technology.

It’s worth considering what you would do in the event of a flood or a fire, and being prepared for power cuts, especially important if you’re using assisted ventilation to support your breathing. Personal and home alarms, along with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can provide peace of mind, while environmental controls can enable you to control facilities and equipment by remote control.

If you have any questions directly related to MND or Kennedy’s disease, or about our support, contact our MND Connect helpline on 0808 802 6262 or email mndconnect@mndassociation.org