MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 2018

MSWA’S MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MS
NURSING Our MS nurses are usually the first point of contact after the neurologist’s
diagnosis of MS. We’re committed to providing holistic supports; providing a greater
understanding of what to expect.
Lou Hatter, Manager: 9365 4888 or Community Nurse: 9365 4888
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
DR GREG BROTHERSON
WILSON CENTRE
29 Parkhill Way (08) 9365 4888
Fax (08) 9451 4453
Freecall 1800 287 367
See Health Team Dept contacts on this page
MEMBER SERVICES
DIRECTORY
GENERAL MANAGER – MEMBER SERVICES
Sue Shapland: 9365 4840
INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS
Manager Community
Care Programs 9365 4851
NDIS TEAM 9365 4824
OUTREACH GROUPS
Wilson Outreach (Mon-Thurs): 9365 4830
Beechboro Lodge (Mon, Fri): 9377 7800
Southside Outreach (Fri): 9592 9202
Albany Outreach (Fri): 9841 6651
BUNBURY (WED) HUB
1 Mason Street, Davenport 6454 2800
BUSSELTON OFFICE
1/21 Cammilleri Street 9754 2320
MARGARET DOODY RESPITE HOUSE
Manager, Chris Rush: 9385 9574
FERN RIVER ACCOMMODATION
Manager, Danuta Figurska: 9356 2747
HAMILTON HILL ACCOMMODATION
Manager, Jayne O’Sullivan: 9331 5780
TREENDALE GARDENS RESPITE &
ACCOMMODATION
50 The Boulevard, Australind
Manager, Linda Kidd: 9725 9209
CONTACT US
If you would like to comment
on anything you read in this
Bulletin please email
bulletin@mswa.org.au
or write to
MSWA, Locked Bag 2,
Bentley DC WA 6983
The Bulletin can also be viewed at
mswa.org.au/bulletin
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Greg Brotherson (Editor), Marcus Stafford (CEO),
Paul Cavanagh, Sue Shapland, Ros Harman,
Libby Cassidy, Caitlin Skinner, Sandra Wallace,
Narelle Taylor, Leonie Wellington,
Rosemarie Dravnieks, and Dawn Burke.
The Editor welcomes unsolicited submissions.
All articles are subject to a reviewing process.
The views expressed are those of the Authors
and do not necessarily reflect the view of
MSWA’s staff, advisors, Directors or officers.
PHYSIOTHERAPY Our team aims to provide treatment interventions to develop and maintain
mobility and function. Our Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function, and work in
partnership with you to attain the highest possible level of independence.
Dave Hathorn, Manager: 9365 4837 or Physiotherapy Department: 9365 4834
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Occupational Therapists enable Members, and Clients,
to continue their work and other interests for as long as possible through advice, aids and equipment.
Rosemarie Dravnieks, Manager: 9365 4804 or OT Department: 9365 4888
SPEECH PATHOLOGY Our Speech Pathologists provide support by assessing, diagnosing
and creating individualised treatment programs for Members who experience swallowing and/or
communication difficulties. We equip Members with information and strategies to promote better
communication and safe swallowing.
Jamaica Grantis, Manager: 6454 3140
COUNSELLING, PEER SUPPORT & HEALTH EDUCATION
Talking with a Counsellor creates a safe, respectful and confidential environment for you
and those close to you to explore options, create change or gain understanding about your
life. Attending counselling with our tertiary qualified practitioners enables opportunity
for personal growth and exploration in a non-judgemental environment. We have a Peer
Support & Health Education Coordinator who organises peer connection & events and
supports health and wellness education services. She can be contacted on 9365 4858.
To make an appointment please call:
Lisa Papas, Manager: 9365 4836 or Main Counselling line: 9365 4811
SOCIAL WELFARE Social Welfare Officers assist people living with MS and their
families to access services and supports to remain living independently at home.
They specialise in case management, advocacy and sourcing funding options.
They provide information on benefits and entitlements through Centrelink and other
government departments. Monitor NDIS/WANDIS Services.
Kath Knights, Manager: 9365 4835
INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS We provide long-term and time limited in-home supports
including assistance with personal care for people with MS, to help them remain in their
homes. Care and supports are provided through a combination of funding from the
Disability Services, Department of Communities and our own fundraising efforts.
We manage both DSC and NDIS individually funded care packages.
Aileen Ward, Manager: 9365 4851 for more information.
THE NDIS TEAM We can help answer all NDIS questions.
Our experienced team can help determine whether you may be eligible for NDIS support
and assist you with your application. This includes developing an individual plan that
best suits your needs. We support people with all neurological conditions including
MS, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Acquired Brain Injury and
Motor Neurone Disease, to name a few.
Geoff Hutchinson, Manager NDIS Business Development: 9365 4879
CAMPS & RECREATION MSWA provides separate recreation camps for Members,
carers, and families, primarily funded by Lotterywest, and for a nominal cost to participants.
These camps provide a break from daily routines, and strengthen friendships and
support networks.
Coordinator for Camps & Recreation: 9365 4843
DIETITIANS are university-qualified nutrition experts who promote general health and
disease prevention/management through dietary changes. They provide evidence-based
dietary counselling and education, empowering individuals, with practical strategies,
to meet their goals and improve health, wellbeing and independence.
Jamaica Grantis, Manager: 6454 3140
Welcome to your Summer edition of the MSWA Bulletin.
Three announcements recently caught my eye as we
commenced the task of compiling this edition. The first is
that MSWA has recorded another outstanding result for this
financial year, which you will read about in the article by our
CEO, Marcus Stafford. You will also find a précised report on
the 2018 Annual General Meeting which was on 25 October.
There is something very comforting in the knowledge that you
are supported by MSWA, the brightest star when measured
against all the other Australian multiple sclerosis (MS)
societies in the Southern Constellation.
The second announcement of importance is the release of
the Economic Impact of MS report, commissioned by MS
Research Australia and successfully launched by the Prime
Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP on 22 August 2018
at Parliament House in Canberra. As an aside, the Prime
Minister’s brother in-law has multiple sclerosis.
Commissioned by MS Research Australia and prepared by
the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University
of Tasmania, the executive summary of the Health Economic
Impact of Multiple Sclerosis in Australia 2017 tells us that
while the number of Australians living with MS continues to
rise – now at 25,600, a rise of 20% – this is costing Australia
$1.75 billion; an increase of $0.51 billion since 2010.
INSIDE SUMMER 2018
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 3-4
FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO 5
A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER –
MEMBER AND CLIENT SERVICES 6
MEMBER SERVICES CHRISTMAS 2018
CLOSURES AND REDUCED COVER 7
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018 8-9
MS RESEARCH ROUND UP 10-11
HEALTH ECONOMIC IMPACT OF
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN AUSTRALIA IN 2017 12
OPEN DAY TO HELP WITH NDIS PLANS 13
ACCURATE NAVIGATION IS KEY TO NDIS SUCCESS 14-15
BALI BUDGET ON WHEELS 16-17
COMPUTERISED NUTRITION CHECK-UPS 18
DIETARY FIBRE 19
THE CAVEMAN MIND 20
The detailed cost of the condition ranges from $30,561 for
people with no disability, to $114,813 for people with severe
disability. The more severe forms of the condition continue
to take a heavy toll on those diagnosed including personal
relationships and family.
The good news is that disease modifying treatments (DMTs),
are redirecting the course of the condition, with unemployment
in decline and new strategies reducing the cost of care. There
are now more people with MS still at work than previously.
While the total cost is increasing, people who know about
such matters explain that rising costs are mainly due to an
increase in the number of people living with MS, and the cost
of newer treatments. The average yearly cost for individuals
(both direct and indirect), has increased by less than $10,000
over the past seven years (from $58,652 in 2010 to $68,382
in 2017, or 17%). This is due to a significant reduction in
lost wages (a third of the economic burden), and informal
care costs for people with MS compared to 2010. It will be
interesting to review this cost once the NDIS is fully rolled
out, as more people with MS will have access to the levels of
funding they need for supports and equipment.
Continued over
THERMOREGULATION 22-23
WHAT IS COGNITION? 24
REASONS WHY I MIGHT BE FALLING 25
COGNITION GROUP 25
QUENCHING YOUR THIRST 26
VOICE BANKING 27
MSWA CARERS SUPPORT PROGRAM
CARERS GROUP’S REALITY 28
CELEBRATING CARERS 28
VOLUNTEER NEWS 29
THAT’S LIFE WITH NARELLE 30
HEARTACHE 31
ATTITUDINAL HEALING - SOME NEW-YEAR RESOLUTIONS
32
ACCESS TO THE MUSIC 33
SOUTH WEST REGIONAL NEWS ROUNDUP 34
GREAT SOUTHERN NEWS ROUNDUP 35
YOUR GRIEF FINGERPRINT 21
THE CANNING SHOW, WILSON OUTREACH 35
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