Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
MND and the Equipment to Invest into to Help Your Day to Day Life
Moneymagpie Team
24th Jul 2026
You can prolong an active life with the use of wheelchairs, powerchairs, some support from frames and a whole host of equipment you might think you will never need when faced with Motor Neurone Disease, or any other debilitating illness. MND affects the strength of the arms, hands and legs, but always get advice from health care professionals before making a decision or purchase.
It may seem daunting at first but using equipment may free up the time in your day and increase the number of tasks you can fulfil in your daily routines, as tiredness can alter the amount of effort needed for each job you have in mind. Tiredness can affect your breathing too and the exertion needed to eat and drink, so freeing up additional energy can be a reward for later. You may need the advice of a dietitian if your swallowing is affected.
Getting around may involve many types of equipment from a simple walking stick up to a powered wheelchair for your independence. Also available are splints and braces for unprotected joints, rollators and other devices for help walking and hoists to aid getting from bed to a seated or standing position. If you need a wheelchair, ramps and widened doorways may be essential.
To get up and down stairs, handrails on either side are optimal. Lifts, either up the stairs or through the floor may become necessary but make the latter wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
To feel safe use a personal alarm to contact the social services or your loved ones. A mobile phone will also be a good way to stay connected, if you come into difficulty. Controlling devices around the home, such as smart phones or environmental buttons to open doors, operate light switches and turn on devices can become integral.
For ease eating and drinking, try easy grip crockery, mobile arm supports to help access to the mouth and portable suction unit to help clear the mouth.
For showering and bathing, try grip rails, hoists and adapt to a wet room where you can. A must is a non-slip bathmat and if necessary, a mechanical bath seat for entry and exit from and into the bath.
To help getting dressed try leg lifters, sock aids and shoehorns. Button hooks and zip pullers make managing clothing fastenings easier. Extended hairbrushes and hands-free hairdryers are an addition you may need. Use an electric toothbrush as it takes away some of that effort you can save for later.
For the bedroom or living room, powered adjustable supports will help you get in and out of your lying or seated position. Slide sheets enable ease of transfer when manoeuvring yourself or allowing others to help you in or out of bed, and rise and recline chairs are commonly available these days for your living room.
If you can still drive or are a passenger, there are features to maintain control, such as leg lifters, hand holds, transfer boards and swivel cushions. Wheelchairs, albeit foldable in the car can give a further sense of independence.
To continue to communicate, boards used to signal your wishes or intentions can be useful, while eye-pointing frames can achieve the same through use of a gaze. There are amplifiers available to increase the volume of your voice.
If you are thinking of purchasing any piece of equipment, seek counsel from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Don’t forget the MND association is also capable of offering advice based on a wealth of experience.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
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