32 msfocusmagazine.org When Family Doesn’t Provide Care Most people receiving care have the help of family members – either to directly provide the care or to help with locating and funding professional care. But what if you don’t have a family? Or what if family members are unable, or unwilling, to help? For a person with MS who is on their own, the prospect of future care needs may seem daunting. But there are several things you can do to prepare, and ensure that help is available if that time comes. Prepare early No one really wants to think about the possibility of needing long-term care when they are still relatively young and healthy. However, that is the best time to prepare. Early on, you might have some options – such as purchasing long-term care insurance, or starting a retirement fund through your employer – that may become more difficult to accomplish as your disease progresses. Even if your condition has started to advance, there are still steps you can take. Find out what options are likely to be available to you in the future, given your financial circumstances. Will you be able to pay for the care you may need, or will you need to apply for programs like Medicaid? Are there state or local programs that provide funding for long-term care? And what type of care would you prefer? A wide variety of care options exist, including in-home help, assisted living, and skilled-care facilities. The right choice for you will depend on your needs at the time, but knowing what options are available, the costs, andwhat financial assistance is available will help you to plan ahead. Your local Center for Independent Living is a good place to start. (See www.virtualcil.net to find a center in your area.) Or contact your local Area Agency on Aging (www.n4a.org). Transition slowly For a person who has family available to help, the transition to care happens slowly. Perhaps at first, a member of the household just picks up additional slack when the person is not feeling well. Later, household members may take on additional chores, or a family member may come over weekly to help with tough cleaning jobs or mowing the lawn. Over time, family members take over more and more responsibilities formerly done by the person in need of care. When you are on your own, you may feel you need to “hold out” as long as possible before seeking help. You may picture yourself going from managing on your own, to needing to move out of your home into some form of assisted living. But the earlier you seek appropriate levels of assistance, the longer you will likely be able stay in your home. Seeking assistance does not necessarily mean professional help. As chores and tasks begintobecomedifficult,askfriends,neighbors, or members of your faith community for help. For example: • If walking in from the grocery store parking lot leaves you with too little energy to do your shopping, could a neighbor take you along and drop you at the door when they go to shop for themselves? • Would a friend be willing to help fold your laundrywhileyouwatched a movie together? Exclusive Content