Hemiplegia is a neurological condition where a side of the body is affected with paralysis either present from birth (known as congenital hemiplegia) or caused by injury (known as acquired hemiplegia). This paralysis can render the patient useless as one-half of the body has been paralysed, but thanks to NDIS funding, hemiplegic patients can get support to live a better life. Do you want to get NDIS hemiplegia funding for a loved one or patient? Here’s how.
What is Hemiplegia?
Hemiplegia is the complete loss of motor function on one side of the body. It is a paralysis that affects only one side of the body. A person suffering from hemiplegia loses control over the side of the body that the paralysis has affected. Such a person can’t control or move the muscles of the side of the body.
Hemiplegia can be further classified into two depending on the side of the body that is affected: the right side of the body (known as right hemiplegia) or the left side of the body (known as left hemiplegia), with the spine serving as the line that divides the body into two halves.
This illness is usually caused by brain damage done to the cerebral hemisphere opposite the affected side; that is, damage to the right side of the brain might cause left hemiplegia and vice versa. However, some health conditions, such as cervical spinal cord injury, brain stem lesions, peripheral nervous system disorders and the like, may present themselves as hemiplegia if not properly diagnosed.
Unfortunately, hemiplegia can appear shortly after birth, at most two years of life. This is known as congenital hemiplegia, while acquired hemiplegia shows up later in life due to injury or other triggers.
Symptoms of Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is a sign of a stroke, which is a life-threatening illness that requires urgent medical help. The sensation is lost partially or wholly on the side of the body affected by hemiplegia. Symptoms differ between patients and how severe the case is. Usually, motor skills are affected, and rarely, patients may have difficulties when speaking, swallowing or troubled breathing. Other symptoms include
- permanently contracted muscles
- poor motor skills
- muscle stiffness on one side
- trouble walking
- poor balance
- difficulty holding objects.
If hemiplegia is caused by brain damage, it may have symptoms that are not specific to hemiplegia, like
- memory loss
- speech defects
- loss of concentration
- change in behaviour
- seizures.
Causes of Hemiplegia
The leading cause of hemiplegia is associated with the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord. To fully understand how hemiplegia is associated with problems of the central nervous system (CNS), you will need to know how the central nervous system (CNS) works. There is a term known as decussation, and it is associated with the CNS. The word was derived from the Latin word decussis, which is the Latin word for the Roman letter X. Decussation is the crossing of nerves on opposite sides to look like an X. This takes place in the brainstem, just above where the spine and the skull connect. Decussation is why issues on one side of the brain affect the opposite side of the body.
Common causes of hemiplegia include;
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Transient ischemic attacks
- Hemorrhages inside the brain
- Aneurysms
- Subdural hematomas
- Spinal cord injuries
- Early childhood injuries that cause conditions like hemiplegic cerebral palsy
- Congenital conditions from childhood
- Brain tumours
- Bell’s palsy
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Bleeding in the brain or outside
- Nervous system diseases
- Infections that affect the nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis
Eligibility for NDIS Hemiplegia Funding
The following conditions must be met before a patient can be considered for NDIS hemiplegia funding;
- Age: The applicant must be under 65 before their first application.
- Residency: The applicant must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a holder of a Protected Special Category Visa.
- Permanent Disability: The patient must have a permanent impairment that affects their day-to-day activities.
- Early Childhood Intervention: For children under age 7, early childhood interventions are considered, which include therapies and early childhood supports.
Also, it is essential to provide accurate and detailed information when applying for NDIS funding, such as medical reports, details on how hemiplegia is affecting the daily activities of the applicant, etc.
Services Available for People under NDIS Hemiplegia Funding
The services available for people under NDIS hemiplegia funding depend on the patient’s needs;
- Assistive Technology: Patients get funds for aids and equipment like orthotics mobility devices to enhance their independence.
- Therapeutic Supports: Patients get access to therapies like occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy to improve their mobility, communication and motor skills.
- Accommodation: They may be provided with the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) based on the patient’s needs.
- Personal Care: Patients get to enjoy daily living support and personal care. They get aid with daily activities like dressing, meals and personal hygiene.
- Transportation: Help for accessible transport is made available to help the patients participate in community activities.
It is paramount for hemiplegic patients and their caretakers to work with the NDIS healthcare workers to develop a plan specific to the patient’s needs.
How to get NDIS Hemiplegia Funding
To access the hemiplegia funding, some steps have been set in place;
- Eligibility Assessment: The patient must meet the eligibility status required by NDIS, which means the hemiplegia must permanently affect their participation in activities.
- Apply: The patient must apply for NDIS funding and complete the NDIS request access form to show how the disability has greatly affected the patient’s life. Since hemiplegic patients cannot do this, a family member or health worker can do this on their behalf.
- Meeting with NDIS representative: Once the patient’s eligibility status has been confirmed, there will be a meeting with an NDIS representative to discuss the patient’s specific needs regarding hemiplegia.
- Approval: After the successful planning, funding and support services will be allocated based on the patient’s needs.
Conclusion
Hemiplegia can be a restraining condition; hence, getting support from the NDIS is quite crucial. The NDIS provides comprehensive care and needed support for the patient. Caring alone for a hemiplegic patient can be challenging, but we are here to support you in getting the NDIS funding. Reach out to us for more information. Get started here