The aim of this theme is to deliver health and quality of life benefits for many of the 10 million people in the UK living with Long-Term Neurological Conditions (LTNCs), and the 850,000 people in the UK caring for someone with a neurological condition (including elderly carers and children and young people). This theme involves  collaborative development, and/or repurposing, of technology to support people to live well, maximise their independence and their ability to self-manage.

The theme seeks to address unmet needs relating to functional limitations (e.g. incontinence, impaired mobility, loss of effective arm/hand function) that may result from a range of conditions, but may have additional complexity for somebody living with a LTNC.

LTNCs affect people of all ages so this clinical theme, as with the other D4D themes, includes a children and young people perspective and considers the impact of co-morbidities (living with multiple long-term conditions) so that technology is developed in consideration of the impact of overlapping complications and illnesses on quality of life and ability to live and function independently.

This theme responds to priority unmet needs across a range of LTNCs where Devices for Dignity and our partners have significant internationally competitive expertise and track records including:

• neurodegenerative conditions (Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia)
• neuromuscular diseases (neuropathies, myopathy)
• epilepsy
• multiple sclerosis
• stroke