Diagnosed in 2004
Finding Home Care and Housing Resources
Home Care
- Do you need help with simple chores?
- Do you need more support with your personal care?
- How many hours of support do you need?
- What days or times do you need the most support?
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Care Compare tool for more information about home care services." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host=""> - Does it work with your insurance company? With Medicare? With Medicaid?
- What services does it provide? What needs cannot be met?
- Will the services be provided by the same person each day?
- Does the agency supply references for the professionals it sends?
- Are these professionals bonded?
- What are the fees? Is there a sliding scale?
- Do they charge for travel time? Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
- How do the fees compare with those of other agencies?
- Is there a backup system for emergencies, holidays or sick days?
- How long has it been in business?
- Is it licensed and accredited by appropriate governmental agencies?
Adult Day Services
Residential Care Facilities
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Care Compare tool say about the facility in terms of number of residents, staff-to-resident ratio, inspection results and survey data?
- Is the facility’s license up to date?
- Is there information on state regulations for how care is provided? For example, what happens when there is an infectious disease outbreak requiring quarantine?
- What does the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Care Compare tool say about the facility in terms of number of residents, staff-to-resident ratio, inspection results and survey data?
- What are the admissions criteria?
- Are there specific discharge criteria that could mean you must move out of the facility into a different care option?
- Does the facility accept Medicaid? Who will clarify eligibility criteria?
- Are there additional charges for things like transportation, outings and medical or other services?
- What is the ratio of care providers to residents? What kind of training do they have?
- How many of them are trained to provide medical care if needed?
- Is the staff familiar with MS symptoms?
- How long have the directors of the nursing, food and social services departments worked at the facility?
- Is there a doctor who checks on residents on a regular basis? How often?
- What activities are planned for residents during the week and on weekends? Can you attend activities yourself to see what they’re like?
- Is there a diversity of ages among residents in the facility?
- Is there a safe place for residents to go outside?’
- How do residents get to and from medical appointments?
- How accessible is the facility?
- Do they have ramps, handrails, accessible bathrooms or lifts?
- Do they provide storage areas for equipment?
- Do they have arrangements with vendors who can supply and repair durable medical equipment?