Caring For a Loved One with Multiple Sclerosis
At Home

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that will, over time, cause loss of muscle control, balance, vision and sensation. When a person has multiple sclerosis, their immune system, for an unknown reason, will begin attacking and destroying the protective covering on the nerves in the body.

The nervous system is how messages travel through the body to the brain. When these nerves are damaged, communication will cease, leaving no way to control the body.

One of the interesting aspects of multiple sclerosis is that it comes and goes. One day your loved one will be able to walk and talk normally and the next, they may be wheelchair bound and struggling to get a sentence out. A person with multiple sclerosis may be able to get along on their own sometimes, but other days they will need a lot of help from a caregiver to even start their day off.

Knowing how you can modify your home and set up a safe and caring environment for your loved one with multiple sclerosis is very important.

Home Environment adaptations for
your Loved One with Multiple Sclerosis

Though activity is important, even when your loved one suffers from multiple sclerosis, they will probably get tired and physically fatigued much more quickly than a person without multiple sclerosis. Setting up your home with that in mind is important. Here are some great tips of things you may need in your home for someone with MS:

– You will need to make sure there are places for them to sit and rest if they are able to walk.

– If they are in a wheel chair or using a walker or cane, there should be plenty of wide and open hallways and rooms.

– Keeping your home neat with litter free floors is very important as people with multiple sclerosis have problems keeping their balance.

There are a number of devices that you can have installed into your home in order to make it easier for your loved one to get around.

Some of the devices you can install are:

• – Grab bars
• – Devices for reaching objects in the distance
• – Electric mattresses and bed
• – Wheelchairs and sliding boards.

All of these things, with the addition of exercise and medication can give your loved one with multiple sclerosis a very good standard of living.

There are some wonderful suggestions available for caregivers of those with multiple sclerosis when it comes to daily tasks which may become difficult over time.

Things such as dressing, bathing, eating & drinking and using the rest room are all activities that your loved one may need assistance with.

• Dressing

  Helping your loved one with dressing can be a great way to let them remain as independent as possible by supplying them tools to help assist in this daily activity. In your loved ones room, make sure they have:

  Access to a dressing stick, a zipper pull, and a long handled shoe horn.

  The clothing your loved one should have access to should also be easy to put on. Instead of having pants with a button and zipper, for instance, pants with elastic waistbands will be much easier for them to put on themselves in most cases.

  Wrap around clothing or shirts that do not have to go over the head are also recommended.

  For fasteners, if Velcro can be used, your loved one will have an easier time dressing themselves.

• Bathing

  Bathing can get a bit dangerous for those with multiple sclerosis since it is easy to slip and fall in the tub or shower. Things you can do are:

  • – Install grab bars in the bath or shower. This can be very beneficial for balance.
  • – Install longer handles on faucets
  • – Add a non-slip mat into the shower or bathtub
  • – Have liquid soap instead of a bar
  • – Sew straps onto towels to make them easier to maneuver
  • – Have toiletries that are easier to grip

• Eating & Drinking
  If your loved one is not able to feed themselves due to multiple sclerosis you may need to assist them physically with eating. To make it easier for your loved one to feed themselves:
  • Have utensils like a spoon and fork combination (spork) or a rocking knife
  • Use non-slip placemats, plate guards and long straws for drinking
  • Larger plates and silverware can all make it easier for your loved one to feed themselves without embarrassment and without spilling food.
• Using the Rest Room
  Installing an elevated toilet seat can be very beneficial to those with multiple sclerosis since they may not be able to sit down easily. You should also consider:
  • – installing handles or bars in the bathroom in order to help your loved one get off the toilet when they have finished using the facilities.
  • – Adding extended levers to the sink to turn it on and off.
  • – It can also be beneficial for someone with multiple sclerosis to use an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one as they can be hard to grip for some.