Flexibility is the key

Home care support for people with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis needs a funding boost in the order of $1,800 per person according to a new research project.

The collaborative project which was managed by Silver Chain drew on surveys and interviews with people living with these conditions, along with their carers and service providers.

The results indicate that people with neurodegenerative disorders need timely access to their own individualised package of care support.

“The aim of the project was to provide home and community care providers with a better understanding of the current and future needs of individuals and their carers living with these conditions in the community” said Silver Chain’s Neurodegenerative Project Co-ordinator, Margaret Giles.

The major sponsor of the project was Lotterywest, which provided $178,000.

Other organisations involved in the research included Australian Huntington’s Disease Association WA, Brightwater Care Group, Curtin University of Technology, Disability Services Commission, Mercy Aged Care, Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA, Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA, Neurological Council of WA, Parkinson’s Western Australia Inc, Perth Home Care Services, Silver Chain and the WA Health Department.