What To Look For in An Assisted Living Facility for Multiple Sclerosis Part 1

But first - What is Multiple Sclerosis?

In short, Multiple Sclerosis is the body's immune system mistakenly attacking the myelin sheath, which is the protective layer covering nerve fibers. This damage disrupts nerve communication, leading to a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, difficulties with balance, and changes in cognition.

In the past several years, the care of patients with Multiple Sclerosis has evolved significantly. Treatment has become more aggressive, with oral DMTs (disease-modifying therapies) to help delay disabilities and reduce the rate of relapse.  With the use of oral DMTs and much more emphasis on early intervention, long-term disability can be minimized or prevented.

The addition of therapies like physical, occupational, and speech, complement DMTs. Medical professionals are also implementing help with depression, which deteriorates as MS becomes more disruptive. Early detection with MRIs can also help in diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis uch quicker.

Assisted living facilities that help patients with MS will focus on the quality of life, utilizing healthy lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthy diet.

What are key services offered at assisted living facilities in Arizona?

Patients with Multiple Sclerosis often need more care, especially when it comes to mobility. At Modern Care Homes, our staff gives assistance with walkers, wheelchairs, and transfers to medical appointments. Out homes often have wider hallways to accommodate wheelchairs, and we provide non-slip flooring in areas where this is needed.

Assisted living homes in Arizona for patients with MS also help with daily hygiene tasks like teeth brushing, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, and grooming. In Multiple Sclerosis patients, these tasks get more difficult over time, with challenges arising from fatigue, tremors, and coordination issues.

It’s also helpful for patients to learn how to use different tools as their disease progresses, like learning to bathe while sitting, using long-handled brushes, can help to improve coordination and conserve energy.

In elderly care facilities in Arizona, monitoring medications is also crucial to help patients stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. As diseases like Multiple Sclerosis progress, medication management for DMTs and other drugs will change as patients develop more symptoms or have increasing difficulty managing more and more medications.

With diseases like MS, the schedules for administering medications can get complex. With the evolution of oral, high-efficacy DMTs replacing injections, it’s crucial to have a healthcare professional to assist patients with their medications to avoid risks. It’s also important to personalize treatment with each individual, as MS affects everyone differently and in different stages. And, each patient could react differently to the same drugs.

Assisted living homes in Arizona also rely on managers and caregivers to have regular communication with specialists who treat patients with MS. These include neurologists, physical therapists, urologists, and mental health experts.

It’s also important for adult care homes to provide on-site therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech. Treating MS patients in-home prevents falls and other mobility injuries. In-home therapies also help residents regain or maintain physical and cognitive function, and promote independence in daily living. Having therapy services on-site also provides convenience for residents, making it easier to attend appointments and maximizing the benefits of treatment plans.

Assisted living homes in Arizona also provide cognitive support and cognitive rehabilitation programs. They often have several programs - not just for patients with Multiple Sclerosis - that help with focus, problem-solving, and memory. These homes have trained staff to help with mental and cognitive health. This also helps in maintaining a better quality of life.

In Part 2 of what to look for, we’ll discuss what to look for in an MS-friendly facility.