Caregivers are family, friends, partners, and neighbors. Spouses, partners, family and friends can be drawn more closely together by their shared concerns and collaborative efforts. With appropriate information and support, caregivers can help their loved ones across their lifespan. As a caregiver it is important to remember that paying attention to your own health and well-being is essential to being able to care for someone else.
This page will provide you more information about care options such as home health services, adult day care, respite care services, caregiver support programs, assisted living facilities, and tips to help care for the caregiver.
Carepartner Family and Friends Group
This group covers a series of topics important to carepartners or to anyone who provides care for a loved one with MS. It meets at the
David C. Pratt Cancer Center
St. John's Mercy Medical Center
607 South New Ballas Road
St. Louis, MO 63141
The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:15 pm. The group meets most months, but you must RSVP to ensure that the group is meeting in a particular month.
The group is facilitated by Karen Tripp, Marriage & Family Counselor
RSVP is required. Please contact Debra Preston at debra.preston@nmss.org or 314.446.4151 to RSVP or for questions.
Telephone Groups for Carepartners
The Carepartner Tele-chat program connects carepartners of people living with MS to other carepartners through a free call-in chat service where people can share time, interests, coping techniques, experiences and information.
Meeting Dates (all Mondays).
April 2, 2012 - 7:00PM
June 18, 2012 - 7:00PM
The Tele-chats are facilitated by Karen Tripp, Marriage & Family Counselor
RSVP is required. Please contact Debra Preston at debra.preston@nmss.org or 314.446.4151 to RSVP or for questions.
MSTogether (for couples)
This couples social group provides an informal social opportunity to meet and talk. Events are organized by the couples themselves and they include potlucks and ball games. Expect to actively participate in planning and organizing, as well as having fun!
This group meets quarterly. The location changes, but is generally in the St. Louis area.
If interested, email Joe Salacki at jsalacki2@gmail.com
General Information
-
A Guide for Caregivers (.pdf)
Practical issues faced by carepartners. Includes resource list. -
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, these amended regulations include numerous new or expanded provisions for general nondiscrimination policies including the use of wheelchair and other power-driven mobility devices, the use of service animals, reserving and guaranteeing accessible hotel rooms, selling tickets for wheelchair accessible seating at sporting events and performance venues, as well as guidelines on how the new regulations affect existing facilities.
For Families
-
Someone You Know Has MS: A Book for Families (.pdf)
For children, 5-12. A story about Michael and his family explains MS and explores children’s fears and concerns
-
When a Parent Has MS: A Teenager's Guide (.pdf)
For older children and teenagers who have a parent with MS. Discusses real issues brought up by real teenagers
-
PLAINTALK: A Booklet About MS for Families (.pdf)
Discusses some of the more difficult physical and emotional problems many families face
-
Care for the Care Partner (.pdf)
Preventing carepartner burnout