How can I get home health care for my friend with Multiple Sclerosis?
I have a friend, who is not elderly, that needs home health care. She has multiple sclerosis and has fallen at her home. She needs someone to care for her as a result of this fall.
Expert Answer
The need for in home health care for multiple sclerosis for people who are not elderly is not unusual. One thing to check is to see if your friend's health insurance covers any help from a liscensed home health care agency. It is important to get professional help to assess cand design a plan of care. The very real danger of falling may lead to getting too much help. The person with multiple sclerosis needs to be supported and trained in independence. At the same time your friend needs to know the most vulnerable times for needing help. What tasks is your friend able to perform with out assistance? When is help available from friends or family. If you can get help with the care planning, is it possible to hire helpers from the agency? Is there a registry? Do you need to network to hire privately? Is your friend able to manage her own care or does she need professional or family help for the coordination?
I hope you will be able to help. MS is so difficult because it strikes at such a young age. The necessity for help versus the desire for independence is delicate and needs friendship as well as nursing.