Information for MS Nurses, Social Workers and Care Workers

We feel that MS nurses have a very important part to play in the process. You have formed a relationship with your patients and helped them through a very traumatic time. You will have gained their trust and respect. There is an understandable resistance to even thinking about communication aids. Although possibly approximately only 1% of the MS population will need to use a communication aid, sadly, they may need one at a time when their cognitive and physical ability may prevent them from learning to use one. They would be insuring against the possibility of not being able to communicate in the future.

We would therefore appeal to you to encourage your clients to see a Speech & Language Therapist as soon as they start to experience difficulties. It might pay dividends later if their general ability has deteriorated.

You will be performing a great service, if you can suggest that a client should learn to use an aid now, just in case they might need it in the future. Better to learn while they are still relatively able rather than waiting until when their general health may have deteriorated, making it more difficult to learn.