How Multiple Sclerosis Care Makes Home Life More Manageable
Home care support
Multiple sclerosis can change how much support an individual may need from week to week, or even from hour to hour. Because issues with fatigue, balance, weakness, spasticity, and vision can occur, managing a typical daily schedule can become challenging. Having someone who is willing to help with tasks at home can provide a degree of independence and also allow family caregivers to rest.
The intent is not to step in and do everything, but to offer whatever level of support the individual requires.
Flexible Daily Support
No two individuals will experience this disease in the exact same manner. Some individuals may benefit from only periodic assistance, while others may need more extensive help with personal care and transferring. An ideal plan for home-based care is designed to evolve as an individual’s symptoms fluctuate – more on multiple sclerosis care in Houston if you want that route.
This can include:
- Assisting with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
- Meal preparation and hydration reminders
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Transferring, ambulation assistance, and fall prevention
- Medication reminders and appointment scheduling
- Companionship when an individual is feeling lonely or down
In addition to helping out with daily activities, a caregiver may also recognize an increase in weakness, altered mental status, decreased appetite, or difficulty performing familiar tasks. Communicating this to family members and health care providers can ensure that minor concerns do not turn into bigger issues.
Energy and Safety
Fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis – Cleveland Clinic explains the why of it at www.my.clevelandclinic.org/health. However, unlike regular tiredness, this form of fatigue can affect focus, coordination, and an individual’s ability to perform normal activities. Attempting to push through this can deplete an individual of their energy for other essential activities, such as eating, personal hygiene, interacting with others, or doing physical therapy exercises.
Pacing is important.
Having a companion at home can help break up the day in a way that allows an individual to do things at a time when they typically feel most energetic. A home health aide could prepare meals, help with a shower prior to when fatigue sets in, or tackle chores that might drain an individual’s energy reserves. These simple modifications can help an individual maintain some level of independence, without requiring them to do everything themselves.
Safety at Home
Accessible home environment
A home doesn’t need to look sterile in order to make it safer. There are usually straightforward modifications that can be made to facilitate ease of movement throughout the home without making the home feel like a hospital. Removing throw rugs, opening up hallways, increasing lighting, and keeping frequently used items within easy reach are all ways to lower the risk of injury.
To make it easier to navigate a walker or wheelchair, a caregiver or therapist should assess whether there is at least 32 inches of clear space in areas where an individual moves around the most. This should include the area around the bed, bathroom, entryway, and kitchen.
Safety also involves taking into account symptoms that are not always obvious. Issues with temperature intolerance, numbness, tremors, and vision can complicate everyday activities such as cooking, bathing, and using stairs. It is important that a care plan addresses these specific symptoms, instead of simply assuming that an individual is capable of carrying out certain activities on their own.
A caregiver might want to keep a current list of emergency contacts, medications, and symptoms to deal with any sudden issues that come up.
For example, a caregiver might see that her loved one gets more tired after doing X activity, and be able to share that information with the care team so they can change things or offer assistance.
Companionship and Planning
There is a lot more to home-based support than helping with everyday activities. Issues caused by multiple sclerosis can make it hard for an individual to participate in social events, continue hobbies, or travel outside of the home. Social isolation, as explained here, can occur when an individual becomes self-conscious about needing assistance, or has a hard time getting out of the house because of fatigue.
A dedicated companion can give an individual the chance to enjoy simpler things in life, like eating a meal together, having a conversation, pursuing a hobby, or going for a short walk (when possible). In addition, having someone else available to help out with activities can allow family members the opportunity to catch up on their own errands or jobs.
Starting the Conversation
Prior to initiating care, it is useful to think about which activities are causing trouble, what times of day assistance would be most helpful, and what kind of support the individual is willing to accept. Families should also make sure to talk about how the individual prefers to communicate, any mobility needs, dietary preferences, and which symptoms would warrant calling a health care provider.
The goal is to design a plan that promotes independence, yet provides assistance when needed. To get started, begin by listing the activities that are proving to be most difficult, and note when it would be best to have someone present to help.
