Multiple sclerosis care at home
Care that flexes with good days, bad days and relapses, so your relative stays independent for as long as possible.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can't currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it. Everyone is affected differently, and extreme tiredness (fatigue) is one of the most common symptoms (NHS).
The shape of MS, and the shape of care
- Relapsing remitting MS: flare-ups (relapses) followed by periods when symptoms get better. Care can step up during a relapse and back down afterwards.
- Secondary progressive MS: can follow relapsing remitting MS, with symptoms there all the time and slowly getting worse.
- Primary progressive MS: symptoms slowly get worse over time, without clear relapses.
Because needs can change from day to day, flexible hourly visits often suit, with live-in care later or during a bad patch.
Pacing fatigue
MS fatigue is not ordinary tiredness. A carer can take on the tasks that use up energy, such as housework, shopping and cooking, so your relative keeps energy for work, family and the things they enjoy.
A plan for good and bad days
- Agree which tasks the carer does every day, and which only on bad days
- Keep a note of what helps during a relapse
- Tell LCH Care and your carer early if you need extra hours
What a carer can do
- Help with washing, dressing and toileting on harder days
- Pace the day around fatigue, so energy goes on what matters most
- Help moving around safely, and with equipment the carer is trained to use
- Prepare meals, shop and keep the home running
- Prompt medication as agreed, and go to appointments together
- Keep up work, hobbies, family life and getting out
Who else is involved
A neurologist, an MS nurse, physiotherapy and occupational therapy often support people with MS. They lead the clinical care; the carer helps with daily life.
Staying independent
Many people with MS work, study and look after family. Care can be arranged around that: an hour or two in the morning, help with the evening routine, or support getting to work. Occupational therapy and home adaptations can also make daily life easier; ask the MS team or your council.
Money and support
Your council can carry out a free needs assessment. Personal Independence Payment can help with extra living costs for people with a long-term condition who have difficulty with everyday tasks, and people over State Pension age may claim Attendance Allowance. The MS Society has information and support.
Tell us about them
The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other conditions
- Dementia care
- Parkinson's care
- Stroke care
- Palliative and end of life care
- Motor neurone disease care
- Cancer care
- Brain injury care
- Spinal cord injury care
- Cerebral palsy care
- Muscular dystrophy care
- Diabetes care
- Heart disease care
- COPD care
- Arthritis and osteoporosis care
- Sight loss care
- Mental health support
- Learning disability support
- All conditions
Questions
Can care increase during a relapse?
Yes. You and your carer can add hours during a relapse and reduce them afterwards, or move to live-in care for a while.
Do carers support younger adults with MS?
Yes. Carers introduced by LCH Care support adults of all ages, including help to keep working, studying and getting out.
Do carers have MS experience?
Some carers have experience of MS, and each profile says what experience they have.
Can care be arranged around work?
Yes. Visits can be planned around working hours, such as early mornings and evenings. Each visit is at least 2 hours.
Can we add help at short notice on a bad day?
Tell us and your carer as early as you can. Extra hours depend on carers being available.