Bulletin Spring 2018

• Manage your stress – Feelings of stress can increase
feelings of fatigue. Some suggestions for managing stress
include:
– Adjusting your expectations – if you have 10 things you
want to do, reduce this down to two to three things and
schedule the others for another day
– Talking to family members/friends to help them
understand and be able to help you
– Speaking to other people with MS to get support and
ideas– strategies they use to manage stress and fatigue
– Relaxation techniques
– Recreational activities – can help to divert your attention
from fatigue as well as re-energising you. It needs to be
something you enjoy without requiring large amounts
of energy, such as listening to music, reading, knitting
and so on
MSWA provides information about fatigue and a range
of options to assist you in fatigue management. We have
education sessions depending on your individual needs
ranging from one-on-one advice, short presentations,
half-day workshops and a six-week education program.
These programs are more detailed and help you to better
understand MS fatigue and identify strategies to help manage
it. There is the added benefit of meeting others and sharing
ideas and supporting each other, as you are facing the same
issues.
We also have a Fatigue Management App MS Energise
available that can be uploaded to Apple devices. This is a
self-paced fatigue management program.
Over the coming months we will be offering some short
information sessions on fatigue at various Outreach locations,
scheduling some half-day workshops in both metro and
Bunbury locations.
If we have sufficient interest, we will run a six-week program,
commencing once a week from Tuesday, 16 October to
Tuesday, 27 November.
If you are interested in getting more information on how
to manage your fatigue, please contact the Occupational
Therapy Department us on 9365 8888 to discuss the best
option for you.
COGNITION
GEMMA MILENTIS, MSWA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
We use our cognition every day, in fact, you are using it right
now to read and comprehend this article. But what exactly is
cognition? And is there anything we can do to minimise the
effects of cognitive changes in our daily lives?
Cognition refers to all aspects of memory and thinking.
Approximately 50–70% of people living with multiple sclerosis
(MS) experience some problems with cognition. Whether it
is forgetting a few appointments, finding it difficult to focus
and maintain attention, recognising objects and/or people, or
learning and recalling new information. As it is with the physical
symptoms of MS, the effects of cognitive change are different
for everyone.
Cognitive changes can be subtle and can be mistaken as the
person simply ‘not listening.’ Research shows that most people
with MS who experience a change in their cognition, start to
notice a change when it becomes difficult to read a book, or
follow a conversation with more than two people involved. It
can be said that the most common area of change is the speed
at which a person can take in and process information.
There are several factors that impact a person’s cognition,
other than the changes that occur within the brain. These
include fatigue and tiredness, emotional stress, relapses,
physical restrictions, medication, hormonal changes and
lifestyle changes. When people are depressed or feeling low,
they can suffer memory lapses or problems with concentration.
So, what are some tips that
you can follow to keep your
brain healthy?
• Exercise
• Mental Stimulation – read, do crosswords
• Nutrition – eat well
• Social supports; stay connected socially
• Vitamin D
• Treatment for mood disorders
• Quality sleep is vital for good brain health
• Cognitive strategies; use lists or reminders – be organised
Lack of participation can also impact cognition as the brain is
not being stimulated. This is where our OTs can help!
The MSWA Occupational Therapy department can provide
advice and compensatory strategies to help manage cognitive
changes. As no two people are the same, our OTs will work to
provide an individualised approach focusing on your lifestyle
and priorities.
We are also looking at running five-week cognition group
to provide a more in-depth discussion into cognition. More
details to follow closer to the date!
If you are interested in learning more about cognition
and trialling some strategies to manage change,
please contact one of our Occupational Therapists on
9365 4888 to express your interest.
MSWA BULLETIN SPRING 2018 | 23