Managing the varied symptoms of MS and maximizing independence are realistic goals which may require some adjustments to your daily routine and environment. Those adjustments may include things such as modifying your home to improve accessibility, hiring people to help you manage some of the tasks that are no longer easy for you or your loved ones to do, or moving to a home that can meet your needs, including residential care facilities.
Home Care
Home care can be provided in many different forms, such as a hired person coming in for a few hours a week to help with some simple chores, to more extensive support and care provided for several hours a day. There are two types of resources noted in the Home Care & Housing category. Chore & Personal Care resources provide non-medical home care services. Respite & Home Care resources provide skilled medical services (e.g., administering medications and changing IV’s), plus nonmedical services.
What level of help in the home do you need?
- Medical (bowel and bladder management, range-of-motion exercises, occupational therapy)
- Personal care (bathing, dressing, shaving, toileting, transferring, hair care, meal preparation, wheelchair and scooter maintenance, transportation)
- Homemaking (shopping, errands, house cleaning, laundry, household paperwork and bill paying)
- Companionship (conversation, safety issues, entertainment)
When considering your home care options, think about your needs and what is important to you:
- Do you need help with simple chores?
- Do you need more support with your personal care?
- How many hours of support do you need?
- What days or times do you need the most support?
Questions to ask of home care services:
- Does it work with your insurance company, with Medicare, with Medicaid?
- What services does it provide? What needs cannot be met?
- Will the services be provided by the same person each day?
- Does the agency supply references for the professionals it sends?
- Are these professionals bonded?
- What are the fees? Is there a sliding scale? Do they charge for travel time? Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
- How do the fees compare with those of other agencies?
- Is there a backup system for emergencies, holidays, or sick days?
- How long has it been in business?
- Is it licensed and accredited by appropriate governmental agencies?
Adult Day Services
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