Private Home Health Care for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Home health aides (HHAs) play an immensely important role in assisting people afflicted by Multiple Sclerosis, and their families, especially as it concerns better managing the condition at home. The highly-trained and professional HHAs of City Choice Home Care Services can provide this needed service.
Our In-Home Health Care Services
for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients
- Medication Management
- Cognitive Stimulation
- Help with Lifestyle Changes
- Create Supportive Environment
- Caregiver Support
- Remain in Familiar Environment
- Provide Personalized Care
- Safety Measures
- Emotional Support
Multiple Sclerosis: Knowing the Symptoms and Managing the Condition.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurological and autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord of the sufferer.
There is currently no cure for MS but there are several therapies and treatments that can be used to manage its symptoms and improve the quality of life of people affected by it.
City Choice Home Care Services provides private home care services to support people who suffer from MS.
Fill out the form to the right to contact us to discuss your needs.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
- Fatigue: Is by far one of the most prevalent symptom of MS. The extreme fatigue that most patients experience can often be very debilitating for them.
- Muscle Weakness: Muscle weakness or mobility issues is yet another debilitating symptom of MS that can often prevent the patient from leading an active lifestyle or even carrying out simple activities of daily living.
- Balance and Coordination Difficulty: A person’s balance and general coordination is often affected which can result in frequent falls and possible broken bones or other injuries.
- Numbness and Tingling: Sufferers often experience sensations of numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in various parts of their body.
- Impaired Vision: Vision problems caused by optic neuritis is a common symptom of MS which can cause blurry vision, painful eyes, which can sometimes lead to a temporary or permanent loss of vision.
- Cognitive Issues: Sufferers also experience cognitive difficulties which include memory loss, difficulty in concentrating, and slowed thinking.
- Bladder and Bowel Problems: The proper functioning of the bladder and bowel is often also affected. This can lead to incontinence and constipation.
- Spasticity: Multiple Sclerosis can also result in spastic and stiff muscles that are often difficult to control, which can also be painful.
- Speech and swallowing Difficulties: In some cases, MS can affect speech and swallowing functions.
- Depression and Anxiety: All the above-mentioned problems and symptoms of MS, and the difficulties and challenges that come with living or coping with them can often lead to emotional issues like depression and anxiety.
Managing Multiple Sclerosis
No cure currently exists for Multiple Sclerosis. However, there are various strategies that can be used to manage its symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. Some of which are:
- Medications: There are various Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that have been proven to help slow the progression of MS and reduce relapses. There are also various other medications that are used to treat pain, spasticity and other symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: Which is used to help patients improve their strength, balance and mobility.
- Occupational Therapy: Helps patients adapt to the reality of, and limitations caused by MS, which then helps them to continue performing their activities of daily living as much as is possible.
- Speech Therapy: Which helps to address and relieve speech and swallowing difficulties.
- Assistive Devices: Like mobility aids, braces, and other similar devices can help the patient address the mobility difficulty they often face.
- Lifestyle Modifications: In addition to the above-mentioned strategies for managing Multiple Sclerosis, the patient will also have to undergo a lifestyle modification that includes things like regular exercise, eating a healthy and balanced diet, controlling and managing stress, among others.
The Cost of Home Care for Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
The cost of home care for Multiple Sclerosis is yet another burden that patients and their families have to unfortunately bear.
Research commissioned by the National MS Society suggests that the total average cost to the individual of living with multiple sclerosis is $88,487 per year.
In addition to the in-home multiple sclerosis care costs, a few other costs that the patient or their family may expect to incur include the following:
- Continuing medical treatment for various MS-related symptoms.
- Treatment and/or any needed medical equipment for other (secondary) medical conditions that may arise.
- Expenses related to any home safety equipment or modification services.
- Prescription drugs/Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
- Personal care supplies.
- Adult day care services.
- Full-time residential care services.
The Role of Home Health Care Aides in Managing Multiple Sclerosis
Home health care aides play a crucial role in supporting individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and their families. Some of the ways in which they provide comfort and assistance include:
- Personal Care: They assist with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting, some of which can be challenging for individuals with mobility issues.
- Medication Management: HHAs help patients take their medications as prescribed, ensuring they follow their treatment plan.
- Health Monitoring: Health Aides will also make it a point of duty to stay on top of regularly monitoring the vital signs of their patients and reporting any significant changes to the appropriate healthcare professionals.
- Emotional Support: MS can be emotionally challenging for both the patient and their family. An HHA can be a source of companionship and emotional support for them.
- Transportation: Health Caregivers can transport and/or accompany their patient to medical appointments or other outings.
- Rehabilitation Support: Home health care aides can also provide support for patients undergoing physical or occupational therapy.
- Mobility Assistance: They help MS sufferers move around the house, and therefore, reducing the risk of falls and injuries that can arise from their coordination difficulties.
- Household Tasks: Light household tasks can also be undertaken by these aides as needed.
- And much more
FAQs About Our Multiple Sclerosis
at Home Health Care Services
Our aides are well-trained and experienced in caring for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Our agency understands the unique challenges and complexities associated with this disease and takes special care to provide the highest level of support.
Yes, we are a Licensed Home Care Service Agency that serve all boroughs of New York City, and other major cities across New York State. We also carry all necessary insurances.
Our agency has established protocols for handling emergencies or medical issues to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. Our protocols include conducting an immediate assessments and contacting all necessary emergency contacts.
Yes, certain private insurances and Medicaid will cover home care for Multiple Sclerosis.
Yes, our agency can staff a wide variety of time frames.
Ensuring continuity of care is essential in the home care of all our patients, just as it is with MS patients. Our agency has documented strategies and policies in place to handle caregiver absences or vacations to minimize disruption to the client’s routine.
Matching caregivers with clients to ensure a good fit in terms of personality and needs is a critical aspect of home care, especially for Multiple Sclerosis patients. The process begins with an initial assessment of the client’s needs and preferences. A Registered Nurse from the Agency will meet with the client, and if applicable, their family members to gather information about the patient. This assessments helps in created a personalized care plan. The Agency will then use this information to match the most appropriate caregiver for the patient.
Yes, as a licensed home care service agency, we can certainly help with meal preparation and accommodate dietary restrictions. Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining the health and well-being of our clients.
Yes, as a licensed home care service agency, we will create a written care plan that is tailored to your loved one’s specific needs. This care plan will serve as a comprehensive guide for our caregivers, outlining the services, schedule, and special considerations required to provide the best care possible for your loved one. The care plan will be developed in collaboration with you and your loved one, taking into account their medical, personal, and emotional needs. We are committed to delivering personalized care that addresses your loved one’s unique circumstances and goals.
Absolutely. Supporting Multiple Sclerosis patients and their families often involves more than just in-home care. We can recommend additional services and resources to provide comprehensive support. These may include:
- ENTER THE SERVICES/ESOURCES HERE
Our Other Chronic Home Health Care Services
Our home health care services are provided by various licensed medical and allied healthcare professionals like Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s), Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Home Health Aides (HHAs).
Other Services We Offer
Become A Caregiver
at City Choice
Are you looking for a rewarding career that offers great experience, competitive pay and flexibility? Become a home-care aide with City Choice Home Care!
Our goal is to provide quality health care to our clients with the most qualified and compassionate staff available. If you’re already a certified home healthcare aide or if you’re looking to become a caregiver for a loved one through our CDPAP program, City Choice has an opportunity for you.
If you’re looking to make a real difference in the lives of others while getting the compensation you deserve, please reach out to us today!
