Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers 2012.
National Alliance for Caregiving. (2012, March). Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers 2012. Bethesda, MD: .
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, often times beginning in young adulthood. It presents in many different symptoms, at differing time frequencies and duration, requiring substantial caregiver assistance. One of the biggest challenges of living with multiple sclerosis is coping with the constantly changing state of the disease. It’s not unusual to encounter periods of severe symptoms followed by remissions. As a result, the physical, mental and financial burdens on family caregivers of people with MS are significantly greater than the general family caregiving population. This is the reality reported today in Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers 2012, a survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving with support from the National MS Society.
Among the findings of this study: Half of MS patients experience "mental confusion" that negatively impacts caregivers in regards to their own mental health (43%) and overall financial situation (47%). In addition, 86% of family caregivers of people with MS indicated needing assistance in funding to pay for in-home care to help keep their loved one home and out of a long-term care facility. Half of MS caregivers see the day when long-term care facilities are required - and the top triggering event in the need for a long-term care facility is the need for 24 hour care.
The survey also revealed that most caregivers of people with MS use the internet to search for information about the disease and how to care for someone (94%). Of those who use a given source for information, less than half found the information helpful.
Abstract from: http://www.caregiving.org/pdf/research/MS_Study_Press_Release.pdf
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