Caring for Someone With MS
Focusing on the Carepartner
Carepartners must often put others’ needs before their own. They may even neglect their health and well-being. But if you are a carepartner, paying attention to your needs will actually help you support your loved ones, too.
Carepartner Support
Carepartners often feel they must handle everything alone. Making time for yourself helps ensure you are at your best when helping your partner. This may take many forms, from doing what you enjoy to asking others to pitch in.If your loved one with MS needs full-time support, ask family members and friends for help. Often, they will appreciate the opportunity. Also, many organizations have respite-care programs.Contact an MS Navigator to find respite-care programs near you. Explore our carepartner support resources for more information.Self-Care
You can best care for a loved one when you take care of your own health and wellness. Pay attention to your physical needs. Maintain your health with exercise, a healthy diet and regular checkups.In a family affected by MS, everyone — carepartners in particular — may have mood changes. Carepartners might feel guilt, resentment and depression. Be aware of these changes, find an effective way to acknowledge your feelings, open up, and seek help.Devoting time to yourself is not selfish. You deserve to be healthy and feel well. Recognize the limits of your own endurance and strength. Maintain facets of your life that do not include your loved one, just as you would have if they did not have MS.