Home Care for Seniors with Multiple Sclerosis in Bethesda, MD
A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) raises a lot of concerns. What does your loved one's and family's future hold? Would the symptoms worsen? Will it be necessary to seek clinical help? Unanswered questions can cause anxiety and fear. Learning as much as possible and creating a plan will help you find the right support network so you and your loved one can have peace of mind.
Visiting Angels of Bethesda can provide the home care solutions your loved one needs to manage symptoms of MS in comfortable, familiar surroundings. Our caregivers can assist with everyday tasks, make sure your loved one stays safe and provide meaningful companionship.
What Is MS?
MS is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Its symptoms can range from mild to totally incapacitating. It prevents various parts of the brain from interacting with one another and with the rest of the body. Most patients are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 40.
What Causes MS?
When the immune system attacks the central nervous system, it damages it and causes nerve transmission to slow or stop. There are numerous theories about what causes MS, including immunology, genetics and viruses, but no cause has been established.
What Are the Symptoms of MS?
Early symptoms often involve vision, including blurred vision, vision loss and color blindness.
Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Difficulty walking
- Involuntary muscle spasms
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Cognitive and emotional changes
- Pain
- Depression
Does MS Have a Cure?
There is no treatment for MS at this time. Managing MS symptoms is a lifelong process that starts when the disease is diagnosed. Medications can help with symptom relief, while physical therapy, walking aids, and braces can help mobility. Doctors, neurologists, therapists, nurses, and mental health providers will likely be part of your loved one's recovery team. It's possible that family members would be expected to assist with daily activities.
If caring for a senior loved one becomes overwhelming, consider home care solutions from Visiting Angels of Bethesda.
MS and Muscle Weakness in Seniors
Multiple sclerosis is primarily diagnosed in early adulthood, but it can be discovered in later years. As the prognosis for MS sufferers improves, and the population ages, more of our seniors will have MS. Muscle weakness is a primary concern because it is a symptom of both the disease and a symptom of aging. People living with MS are at an increased risk of falls, so for a senior with MS, the risk is compounded.
At Visiting Angels of Bethesda, our home care solutions include fall prevention, so you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one will be safe with a dedicated caregiver.
How Can Visiting Angels of Bethesda Help My Loved One?
If your loved one has MS, it’s likely that he or she will eventually need professional care. It could be a combination of help from a family caregiver and caregivers from Visiting Angels of Bethesda.
Our home care solutions include:
- Personal Care We assist with meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, errands and transportation to appointments, mobility assistance, medication reminders and personal hygiene.
- Companion Care: We fulfill your loved one's needs for social interaction and emotional support.
- Respite Care: We provide interim care to allow family caregivers a well-deserved break to relax and recharge.
If you’d like to learn how our home care solutions can help your loved one, call our Bethesda, MD office at 301-490-9050.