Long-Term Care Services
The Indiana State Chapter provides information about and assistance with long-term care issues to individuals with MS and their families and to the long-term care facilities that serve them.
Individuals with MS
As no two cases of MS are alike, long-term care requirements of people with MS are all different as well. Besides the challenges of the disease itself, other factors can play a role in choosing long-term care services: spouse and family issues, finances, availability or services in a given area, and more.
Some people may be able to live independently with attendant care or home health care. Some may benefit from adult day services while a caregiver/spouse is at work. Others may require a skilled nursing facility.
The Indiana State Chapter's programs staff can help clients assess their needs and refer them to appropriate resources:
- Adult Day Care
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Attendent Care
- Home Health Care
- Life Planning
- Respite Care
- Caregiver Support
- Complementing our long-term care services are the Buddy Connection program, which can connect people-via telephone, email or letter-with others who share their interests, and the Respite Assistance Program (coming soon!), which can provide financial assistance for attendant care, respite services, and adult day programs.
The following publications of the National MS Society are designed to help individuals and their families with long-term care issues:
- At Home with MS: Adapting Your Environment
- A Guide For Caregivers
- Hiring Help at Home: The Basic Facts
- Adapting: Financial Planning for a Life with Multiple Sclerosis- (contact the Indiana State Chapter for more information)
Long-Term Care Facilities
The needs of people with MS in long-term care facilities vary greatly from the facility's typical population. The Indiana State Chapter works with long-term care facilities to educate staff about multiple sclerosis and the particular needs this chronic illness presents to residents. In-service trainings are available upon request.
The following publications of the National MS Society are designed to help long-term care facilities provide optimal care for residents with MS:
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Home Care for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
- Assisted Living for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
- Adult Day Services for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
For more information about long-term care services, contact our Programs Department at 1-800-344-4867 option 2.