March marks Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the experiences of the 1.8 million people worldwide living with this complex neurological condition and highlighting the resources that can make daily life more manageable. As symptoms shift and daily routines become more challenging, many individuals turn to home healthcare for practical, personalized support that helps them stay safe, comfortable and independent. This blog looks at the ways home‑based care can make a meaningful difference for people navigating life with MS.
How MS affects daily life
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system, causing inflammation, myelin loss, scarring and nerve cell injury. It can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including vision problems, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, bladder and bowel changes and difficulties with memory or thinking. MS can follow different patterns—such as relapsing‑remitting, primary progressive, or secondary progressive—which influence how symptoms appear and progress over time. Diagnosis typically relies on identifying neurological episodes that occur at different points in time and affect different areas of the central nervous system, allowing clinicians to begin disease‑modifying treatments early to help reduce relapses and long‑term disability.
The symptoms of MS can make everyday tasks more challenging and may increase the need for support at home. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society notes that many people with MS eventually adjust their routines or seek home‑based help as needs evolve.
You can find additional information on the causes, symptoms, diagnostic process and risk factors associated with MS in our previous blog.
MS care for Veterans
If you served in the military and have an MS diagnosis, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may offer additional benefits. The VA estimates that 55,000 to 70,000 Veterans in the United States are living with MS, and several organizations offer specialized support. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a key resource, dedicated to advancing research, expanding support services and empowering people with MS to live their best lives. Veterans can also turn to the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), which has a strong record of helping service members navigate even the most complex disability claims. With one in four PVA members living with MS, the organization brings deep expertise in securing benefits, arranging home and vehicle adaptations and improving access to VA health care. PVA membership is open to U.S. citizens who are Veterans with an other‑than‑dishonorable discharge and who have a spinal cord injury or disease, including MS.
What is home healthcare?
Home healthcare refers to personalized support delivered at home to help a person stay safe, comfortable and independent. A trained caregiver can assist with everyday activities such as bathing, cooking, mobility or taking medications, depending on the level of support needed. Some people only need occasional check‑ins, while others benefit from skilled caregivers who are trained to help with medication management or therapy. Services may be short‑term or long‑term, and caregivers can be hired directly or through a home care agency like Maxim Healthcare.
Ways home healthcare supports people with MS
MS can be a frustrating and unpredictable disease to live with. Getting treatment at home can increase confidence and independence, particularly when adaptations are made to the home to reduce the risk of falls. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, life becomes more manageable for people with MS when their homes are set up for efficiency and safety. Keeping frequently used items within easy reach, adding safety features in the bathroom and reducing clutter can lower the risk of falls and make daily routines smoother.
Skilled nursing and clinical support
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, skilled care for MS involves comprehensive, professional medical services designed to manage symptoms, slow disease progression and improve quality of life. Key components include specialized nursing for medication administration (e.g., injections, infusions), symptom monitoring, physical and occupational therapies to maintain mobility and daily assistance with tasks. Caregivers also support individuals as they adjust to new or fluctuating symptoms, which can vary widely over time.
Personal care and daily living support
Caregivers provide hands‑on help with bathing, dressing, grooming and meal preparation, while also taking on light housekeeping, running errands and offering transportation to appointments (when allowed by the payor and when clinically appropriate). They support safe use of mobility devices and assist with transfers to lower the risk of falls. Depending on the person’s needs, this type of home care can range from a few hours a week to more frequent visits.
Respite for family caregivers
Caring for someone with MS can be physically and emotionally demanding. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that 64 percent of caregivers feel emotionally drained, 32 percent say they experience depression and 22 percent have lost a job due to caregiving activities. Home healthcare can offer respite care, giving family caregivers temporary relief to maintain selfcare while maintaining consistent support for the person with MS.
When home healthcare becomes especially helpful
- During periods of symptom flareups or progression
- After a hospitalization or major change in mobility
- When fatigue or cognitive changes make daily tasks harder
- When family caregivers need additional support
- When a person wants to remain at home but requires help to do so safely
Maxim Healthcare provides a range of home health and personal care services. Our dedicated caregivers provide compassionate and patient-centered nursing and personal care services in the comfort of home. If you or a loved one needs support with a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis we can help! Contact your local Maxim office for more information.
