ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to outline why and how involvement of the person with spasticity, their family or their carers is central to the overall success of managing spasticity. It explores the impact of spasticity on the person, the need for active multidisciplinary teamwork and communication across health and social care sectors and how the success of management is dependent on effective, timely education of the person and, if appropriate, their carers. The chapter discusses a foundation level of knowledge to consider teaching people with spasticity and will detail the content and rationale for sections included in a patient information leaflet on spasticity management. Implications for practice include the appreciation of a person’s ‘precarious harmony’, which is vital to supporting behavioural change and promoting self-management. Successful spasticity management plans rely not only on effective integrated teamwork with good communication, but also most importantly necessitate a focus on self-management by the person with spasticity.
