Resources

Health Information

Anesthesia Issues

Anaesthesia & Surgery: A guide for people with a history of polio

St Vincents Hostpital 2016

People with a history of polio have special needs when it comes to anaesthesia and surgery.

This guide is for anyone who has had polio and will be having surgery. It has information to help you and your healthcare team plan your surgery. Take it with you to any appointments before you have surgery, and when you go into hospital.

Anaesthetists need to be wary of postpolio syndrome

Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists - Safety and Quality 2015

Important information for your anaesthetist

Anesthesia Issues for the Post-Polio Patient

Selma H. Calmes, MD

Preventing Complications in Polio Survivors Undergoing Surgery

Richard L. Bruno, Ph.D

Specifics for PPS

Selma Calmes

Respiratory Issues

Articles About Oxygen and Other Pulmonary Issues

Rancho Los Amigos Post-Polio Support Group http://www.polioassociation.org

Breathing problems – links to various articles

Post-Polio Health (www.post-polio.org) and Ventilator-Assisted Living (www.ventusers.org)

Breathing Problems in Post-Polio – various articles

from Post-Polio Health (www.post-polio.org) and Ventilator-Assisted Living (www.ventusers.org)

Breathing Problems of Polio Survivors

Linda L. Bieniek , Judith R. Fischer, Joan L. Headley, and Edward Anthony Oppenheimer, MD . 2001

Living and Breathing with Weak Respiratory Muscles

Hal John Hester Colebatch AM MD FRACP, Ian Neering PhD MSc

Postpolio Syndrome and Anesthesia

David A. Lambert, M.D, Eleni Giannouli, M.D & Brian J. Schmidt, M.D

Pulmonary function tests

from Post-Polio Health International

Respiratory Muscle Aids to Avert Respiratory Failure and Tracheostomy

John R. Bach, M.D

Surgery

Anaesthesia & Surgery: A guide for people with a history of polio

St Vincents Hostpital 2016

Polio patients and surgery: information for health staff

Danish Society of Polio and Accident Victims

Financial Assistance

Arthur Marsden Whiting Fund – Application Form

The Arthur Marsden Whiting’s Sympathy Fund was established to provide assistance to people with a physical disability who are in need of financial support.

Companion Cards

The Companion Card is issued to help people with a significant, permanent disability, who can demonstrate that they are unable to access most community activities and venues without attendant care support.

Continuity of Support Program

Assists people who have been receiving Disability Support Packages, BUT are not eligible for the NDIS because they are 65+.

Essential Medical Equipment Payment – Application Form

Centrelink

The purpose of the Essential Medical Equipment Payment is to cover the additional costs of running essential medical equipment, that arise from the introduction of a carbon price on 1 July 2012.

Home Renovation Loans – Fact Sheet

State Government of Victoria

Life Support Concession – Application Form

Victorian Government Human Services

The Life Support Concession assists Victorian households who hold a valid concession card with electricity costs where a member of the household uses an eligible life support machine

Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

If you are a concession card holder, and a member of the household has a medical condition that affects the body's ability to regulate temperature, you can use this form to apply for assistance with summer electricity costs.

My Aged Care

People over the age of 65 can contact My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or go to http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/eligibility-diverse-needs/older-people-disabilities to find out about services are available.

National Disability and Insurance Sceme

If you are under the age of 65 and live in an NDIS roll-out site (and have had polio) you may be eligible for the NDIS. Call the National Disability Insurance Agency on 1800 800 110 or go to ndis.gov.au/vic for information on how to apply and when the NDIS will roll out in each local government area.

State Wide Equipment Program

State Wide Equipment Program (SWEP) provides some funding for assistive technology, continence aids, CPAP, car and home modifications. For more information go to https://swep.bhs.org.au/for-individuals.php or telephone 1300 747 937

Mobility Aids

Flexyfoot

Flexifoot is an innovative ferrule (rubber tip) for walking sticks and crutches. It improves grip and stability especially on slippery and uneven surfaces. It also cushions the shock through the body of the sticks hitting the ground. See the testimonials on their website.

Independent Living Centre

Provides free information, advice and trial of independence equipment. Staffed by Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.

Related Organisations

Action on Disabilities in Ethnic Communities

ADEC aims to empower people with a disability from non-English speaking backgrounds, their families and carers.

Aids and Equipment Action Alliance

Works towards improving the availability of aids and equipment to aged and people with disabilities.

Australian Polio Register

Polio Australia encourages every polio survivor living in Australia (whether you contracted polio in Australia or overseas) to join the Australian Polio Register.

Carer Gateway

A national phone service that provides information and resources to support carers, and a service finder to connect to local support services.

Council of Self Help Groups

Working to develop the Self Help movement

Council on the Ageing

COTA promotes the needs of older people.

Health Complaints Commissioner

Complaints may be directed to them for mediation or investigation, after you have tried to tried to resolve the complaint with the health provider yourself.

Information on hand controls for vehicles

International Ventilator Users Network

Enhancing the lives and independence of users of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) through education, advocacy, research and networking.

Office of the Public Advocate

The OPA works to promote the dignity and rights of people with a disability.

Polio Australia

Provides quality health information for polio survivors and health professionals, Polio Conference research papers, Health and Wellness retreats, promotes services provision across Australia.

Polio Network Victoria

An information service run by Independence Australia.

Polio Services Victoria

A free rehabilitation service for people in Victoria with polio.

Public Interest Law Clearing House

PILCH – a legal resource for community groups

Women With Disabilities Australia

The vision of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is to improve the lives and life chances of women with disabilities.