Finding Independent Living Resources
Living Independently With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis symptoms may progress to the point that they interfere with your daily life. Independent living resources can help you maintain freedom, dignity and choice. These supports may include:
Aging Services
Centers for Independent Living
Service Dogs
- A service dog may be right for you if you:
- Are at least 12 years of age.
- Have a physical disability or anxiety disorder.
- Live in a stable home.
- Have the physical and mental ability to take part in training.
- Can command and take care of a service dog by yourself.
- Can meet the physical and emotional needs of a service dog.
- Have no other dog in the home. Other animals are allowed.
- Service dogs can be trained to do a variety of tasks, including:
- Alerting their owner to sounds
- Guiding their owners
- Opening and closing doors
- Retrieving items
- Pulling wheelchairs
- Offering balance and support
- Turning lights on and off
- Do you have the funds, time and support to meet your service dog’s needs?
- Are you able to exercise and clean up after the dog? Or do you have someone who can do this?
- Do you have or can you get assistance to pay for veterinary care?
- Can you afford dog food, accessories and training aids? If funds are tight, have you researched potential financial help?
- Will you work with your service dog and use the training you learn? Can you be patient if a training routine is not going well and figure out ways to turn it around?
- Are you willing to make a 10-year, or more, commitment to a dog?