Young Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: Management in the Home

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) strikes early in life and places heavy demands on the person with MS and his or her family—physically, emotionally, and financially. Comprehensive planning of home-based services, implemented by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals, is critical to management of the disease, prevention of complications, and promotion of optimal health and quality of life. Home-based services are an important strategy in cost containment, decreasing hospital admissions, and avoiding premature and expensive nursing home placement. This article describes MS and its management and explores the benefits of home services and coordination of care for people with MS within the framework of long-term care needs, clinical management of the disease, and caregiver and family issues.