Home Care News - Homewatch CareGivers > Caring for Multiple Sclerosis Patients at Home

Caring for Multiple Sclerosis Patients at Home

2/16/2010 12:00:00 AM

Tips from Homewatch CareGivers: Caring for multiple sclerosis at home.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and frequently progressive disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It can be one of the most disabling of the neurological diseases that strike young adults during their most productive years (20-40 years of age), affecting the entire family.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Physical symptoms may include: abnormal reflexes, tremor, slurring of words, bladder and bowel dysfunction, impaired vision and fatigue or weakness. These symptoms, combined with emotional changes, can result in uncharacteristic anger, anxiety and depression, increasing demands on the care giving network.

Asking the Right Questions

If a loved one has been diagnosed with MS, you can help them cope and improve their quality of life at home by exploring the following questions:

1. How can family members promote independence with activities of daily living, wherever possible?

2. How can family members assist with muscle strengthening, walking exercises and range of motion exercises, according to treatment plan?

3. What can family members do to promote the use of assistive devices and speech impairment treatment plans (eye patch, speech exercises, etc.), and how can family members assist?

5. How can family members ensure healthy elimination, including: bowel and bladder control, avoiding constipation, and monitoring for signs and symptoms of bladder or kidney infection?

6. How can family members prevent skin breakdown associated with immobility?

7. How can family members provide emotional support, companionship and alternative coping mechanisms?

More About Homewatch CareGivers

Homewatch CareGivers is a premier caregiver agency, providing home care for all ages. We invite you to visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com, where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

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