The role of a carer within any home is a very important one, but even more so when it’s a care home for MS sufferers, as Multiple Sclerosis residents require additional care and support.
In this article, we are going to give you a little bit more information about what to expect when someone has MS, what it’s like for a carer helping someone with Multiple Sclerosis and how you can support our carers when visiting your loved one.
Multiple Sclerosis is more often than not diagnosed earlier on in life (before 50), and it is actually fairly rare for elderly people to be diagnosed with it. For this reason, it’s generally something people have lived with for a while and is at the point of deterioration when they need additional care – possibly in an MS care home.
A day in the life of a carer at Country Lodge
We’re proud to have carers available to our residents 24 hours a day at our care home for MS sufferers, so there is always an expert on hand to be available should anyone need it.
The morning
To start the day, our day carers have a handover from the night carers which will include checking if everyone is ok. For example: has anyone has been hospitalised, had a fall, was unwell, had any dietary changes, or any problems throughout the night. For some MS sufferers, mobility will be an issue and a hoist and wheelchair may be required when getting them prepared for the day. General duties will include getting washed and dressed and ready for breakfast.
Our carers will then support residents with our morning activities, this may include reading, watching TV or just chatting with other residents or something more active such as physiotherapy, a walk around our gardens or one of our wide range of exciting and engaging activities!
As well as providing physical support to our residents, the carers are always there to offer emotional support too, and this has been especially important during the last year when visitors have been few and far between.
The afternoon
In the afternoon, as a care home for MS sufferers, our carers may need to help those suffering with MS with their eating during lunch as the disease can affect coordination. After lunch, the residents can enjoy further activities or may have a visit from family members, either in person or in our visiting pod. This is a great opportunity for our carers to talk to their loved ones about how the resident is doing, any concerns they may have or what medication they are on.
Carers always want to ensure that residents feel like they are in control of their day and continue to hold their independence, so we can facilitate any hobbies that our residents have.
The evening
After another delicious home-cooked meal for dinner, our carers will ensure that residents enjoy a relaxed evening, and when they’re ready for bed, our carers will assist in this nighttime routine, making sure they are comfortable and happy. As an MS specialist care home, we provide electric profiling beds to allow easy access for the residents and help them feel as comfortable as possible.
In every bedroom, residents have easy access to a bell which will alert our carers at any point during the day, so whether it’s 3pm or 3am, someone will be ready to assist.
Additional duties of the carer
In addition to the key responsibility of assisting residents, the carers at our care home for MS sufferers also have other duties such as:
- Writing resident assessments, which will review whether they are receiving the right amount of food, and drink and monitoring general behaviour
- Continence care
- Talking on the phone with family members when required
- Reporting to the manager on duty when necessary
- Managing their own time
- Completing cleaning duties
- Planning and arranging physiotherapy sessions for MS sufferers
What to expect from someone with MS
Common areas that can get tougher with age for someone with MS include mobility problems, balance and coordination and speech.
Sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis can also become more prone to additional health problems as they get older, this may include:
- Heart problems
- Vision impairments
- Infections
- Pneumonia
As we are a care home for MS sufferers, our carers receive extensive training, so they are fully aware of the problems that can occur for those living with MS and we take all the steps possible to avoid any of them happening. Their training also allows them to provide an incredibly high standard of care to our residents living with MS.
Looking for an MS care home? Contact Country Lodge!
Our experience, knowledge and attentiveness mean we are fully prepared to provide quality care to those living with the following conditions:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s
- Strokes
If you would like to arrange a discussion with our care home manager, whether looking for respite care, short term care or long term care, please contact us by emailing manager@countrylodgenursing.co.uk or give us a call on 01903 830600. You can have a look around our MS care home by viewing our virtual tour.
You can follow us on Facebook for regular updates on what we’re up to at our care home in West Sussex. We look forward to welcoming you to our home!