Neurological Conditions

Please see below information on the neurological conditions The Care Team engage with:

Motor Neurone Disease

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is an incurable condition where the nerves in the brain and spine progressively lose function (neurodegeneration). Adults over the age of 40 are mainly effected. Men account for 60% of all cases of MND and woman 40%. As MND progresses motor neurons are destroy motor neurons, the cells that are essential for voluntary muscles activity such as speaking, walking, breathing and swallowing.

The disruptions in the signals between the motor neurons and the muscles lead to muscles becoming weak and many begin wasting away and develop uncontrollable twitching. Clients can also develop stiffness (spasticity) in their muscles. Over time the ability to control voluntary movement can be lost.

List of some of the specific care services offered to The Care Team’s clients with MND:

• Daily exercise completion
• Rest encouraged
• Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPY)
• Nutrition Care

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system – CNS). 9,000 Irish people live with MS, a progressive neurological condition. The CNS sends electrical signals through the body in order for the individual to perform tasks such as movement or thought. Healthy fibres in the body are insulated by myelin, a fatty substance which helps the nervous system transmit messages. With MS the myelin breaks down or becomes scarred, interring with or blocking the message transmission, resulting in the signs and symptoms of MS.

List of some of the specific care services offered to The Care Team’s clients with MS:

• Motion exercises
• Muscle stretching
• Muscle strengthening
• Nutrition care
• PEG care
• Communication care
• Social care

Acquired Brain Injury

An acquired brain injury (ABI) occurs when sudden damage to the brain is received during an individuals’ lifetime but it is not due to birth trauma. Clients with ABI have difficulty with the following:

• Lack of insight
• Memory problems
• Poor concentration
• Slowed responses
• Poor planning
• Poor problem solving
• Inflexibility
• Communication difficulties

List of some of the specific care services offered to The Care Team’s clients with ABI:

• Assistance with planning daily activities
• Nutrition care
• Communication care
• Social care
• Maintaining a calm environment
• Pain management

Stroke

Is an attack on the brain occurring when a blood vessel transporting a supply of nutrients and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked by a clot (ischaemic stroke) or bursts (haemorrhagic stroke). When there is a disruption to the blood supply of the brain a stroke occurs, leaving the brain permanently damaged. Stroke effects an individual’s physical and mental functioning, instantly.

List of some of the specific care services offered to The Care Team’s stroke clients:

• Communication care
• Nutrition care
• Mobility care
• Pain management
• Rehabilitation

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder, involving recurrent, unprovoked seizures. A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. A seizure usually affects how a person appears or acts for a short time. Many different things can occur during a seizure. Whatever the brain and body can do normally can also occur during a seizure.

List of some of the specific care services offered to The Care Team’s client’s with epilepsy:

• All of our Carers are trained in seizure management.
• Medication management

Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder, resulting from a shortage of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical which assists instructions from the brain to cross from one nerve cell to the other. This chemical transmission occurs in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement.

List of some of the specific care services offered to The Care Team’s client’s with Parkinson’s:

• Nutrition Care
• Continence Care
• Mobility Care
• Medication Management

The Care Team provide home care for clients with Neurological conditions. We tailor clients’ home care packages to suit their needs. We endeavour to provide a high quality care service ensuring continuity of care for our clients, liaising with the local multidisciplinary team. The Care Team’s Community Liaison Officers work objectively in order to maintain a positive, calm atmosphere. Our Carers are educated about the clients’ condition and guided through each clients’ specific care routine in detail. Community Liaison Officers and Carers work hand in hand in order to create a therapeutic environment for all clients.

As client needs change through time so do their care needs, The Care Team will work in parallel to deliver seamless care delivery. The Care Team understand how debilitating and frustrating having a neurological condition can be. We aim to empower clients, advocating for them where needed and promoting independence.

The Care Team produce a structured and consistent service, please see below some of the care services:

• Personal Care
• Mobility Care
• Skin Care
• Rehabilitation
• Continence Care
• Maintaining a safe environment
• Medication Management
• Home Help
• Communication Care
• Respiratory Care (chest exercises)