Home Care for Older Adults and Seniors Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

When you or someone you love is living with MS, relying on a trained Amada caregiver to help manage symptoms can improve qualify of life.

It’s believed that multiple sclerosis (MS) – a disease of the central nervous system – affects almost 1 million Americans. Typically, MS manifests between the ages of 20 and 40 but there is a growing concern among medical experts that this chronic and progressive disease is rising among our older population. One reason: Americans are living longer. The other reason for the number of MS cases being reported is that diagnostics have improved over the last several years; likely many older adults were living with MS for years without knowing symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong autoimmune condition that impairs the nervous system. It is believed to originate from an unusual inflammatory reaction initiated by a mix of environmental, lifestyle, infectious, and genetic factors in predisposed individuals. This sustained inflammation damages the myelin sheaths enveloping the nerves, leading to faulty, slow, and irregular nerve signal transmissions between the brain and other parts of the body, which forms the foundation for MS’s diverse symptoms.

MS has a higher prevalence in women but tends to have more severe implications in men, including a worse prognosis and greater disability levels. As a progressive condition, MS often results in significant disabilities over time.

MS can be categorized into four types, each defined by a specific pattern of symptoms: relapsing-remitting, primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, and progressive-relapsing. Symptoms vary widely but commonly include cognitive issues, depression, fatigue, heat sensitivity, incontinence, mobility and balance problems, optic neuritis, pain, and spasticity. Characterized by its fluctuating nature, MS patients experience periods of relatively symptom-free phases alternated with times of significant impairment. In its most common form – relapsing-remitting MS – patients undergo cycles of relapses followed by remissions. Over time, most patients with this form transition to a more severe stage of the disease.

There is currently no cure for MS. While it is not typically fatal, it progressively leads to increasing disability, significantly impacting daily life.

Because of their training, Amada Senior Care caregivers:

• Know that because of activity limitations, a client living with MS must be protected against falls. Amada caregivers also understand that seniors diagnosed with multiple sclerosis can be very limited in what he/she can do, often due fatigue, pain, numbness, and spasticity (muscle spasms). They work closely with the MS client, the family and members of the care team to determine an appropriate level of activity and how much assistance will need to be provided.
• Understand that constipation can be a problem for the older adult or senior with MS. Amada caregivers encourage the MS client to stay hydrated and make sure to document the pattern of elimination and monitor for constipation, bladder dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
• Because incontinence of stool or urine can cause skin breakdown, Amada caregivers know to monitor for skin irritation and pressure sores since clients with MS often lack the inability to move normally and change their body’s position.
• Know that MS patients need to avoid hot showers or baths, as heat intolerance manifests with mobility impairment.
• Understand the importance of keeping their conversations positive and instructions clear as they speak with compassion to clients with MS, as depression affects nearly half of all individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
• Take the initiative to inform members of the care team and family members if they see signs of MS-related cognitive dysfunction or complications with prescribed medication regimens.

If you’re looking for in-home Parkinson’s care for yourself or a senior loved one in Alameda, Alamo, Berkeley, Concord, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, and beyond, please call us today at 510-975-3100 for a Free Needs Consultation.