Caring for a Loved One with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Caregiving doesn’t pause after November — and neither does the importance of staying connected to the right support. Plug-in to Care helps caregivers find trusted information, supportive communities, and practical tools that make each day a little more manageable. Whether you’re caring for a loved one this holiday season or any time of year, connection can make all the difference.

The Caregiver’s Role

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering (myelin) of nerve fibers, leading to communication disruptions between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms can include fatigue, mobility issues, weakness, sensory disturbances, cognitive changes, vision problems, bladder/bowel challenges, and mood or emotional shifts. As MS evolves, caregiving needs often shift—requiring flexibility, education, and proactive planning—to help maintain quality of life and independence for the person with MS.

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Symptom Variability and Flare-Ups Are Common

MS symptoms can fluctuate day to day, and exacerbations (relapses) may occur unexpectedly. Caregivers often have to adapt rapidly: adjusting mobility support, scheduling rest, modifying plans, or helping with acute care during relapses.

Fatigue and Invisible Symptoms Pose Unique Challenges

Many symptoms of MS (pain, fatigue, cognitive issues, heat sensitivity, mood) are “invisible” and sometimes less understood by others. Caregivers may need to advocate, support communication, pace activities, and help the person with MS rest appropriately.

Planning, Assistive Support & Self-Care Are Essential

Over time, mobility aids, home modifications, therapy, and assistive technologies become more critical. Simultaneously, caregivers must guard against burnout by pacing themselves, using respite, seeking peer support, and planning ahead (legal, financial, medical transitions).

Caregiving Resources

Partner Resources

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MS Focus):

> Homecare Assistance Grant — Provides temporary home care, therapeutic visits, respite care, and support during transitions from hospital to home.> Programs & Grants / Get Help — MS Focus offers a range of programs and financial assistance (transportation, grants, assistive technology) to support people with MS and their caregivers.

> “Providing a Break for Caregivers: Respite helps put focus on neglected parts of life” — An article on the importance of respite for caregivers of people with MS.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Carepartner Resources — The MS Society provides guides, support materials, and networks specifically for care partners and family caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance: Multiple Sclerosis Caregiver Resource Guide — A practical guide for caregivers, including what to expect, everyday living strategies, legal and financial planning, and emotional support.

Caregiver Action Network

National Caregiver Help Desk — Free 1:1 Support
Family Caregiver Toolbox — Practical Resources for Caregivers
Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout — Self-Care Strategies
10 Tips for Family Caregivers — Quick, practical tips for organizing, pacing, and sustaining caregiving efforts over the long haul.

This resource was developed with support from MS Foundation.

Plug-in to Care: Stay Connected

Caregiving can be complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. Plug-in to Care by connecting with trusted resources, supportive communities, and tools that help you care for your loved one — and yourself — throughout the holiday season and beyond.