Multiple sclerosis: long-term social care and the ‘family care pathway’

Ceri Bowen; Anna MacLehose

doi:10.5042/scn.2010.0206

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Social Care and Neurodisability

ISSN: 2042-0919

Online from: 2010

Subject Area: Health and Social Care

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Multiple sclerosis: long-term social care and the ‘family care pathway’

Document Information:
Title:	Multiple sclerosis: long-term social care and the ‘family care pathway’
Author(s):	Ceri Bowen, (DCMH Aldershot, Aldershot Centre for Health, UK), Anna MacLehose, (Institute of Neuropalliative Rehabilitation, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disabilty, UK)
Citation:	Ceri Bowen, Anna MacLehose, (2010) "Multiple sclerosis: long-term social care and the ‘family care pathway’", Social Care and Neurodisability, Vol. 1 Iss: 1, pp.31 - 38
Keywords:	Carers, Family members, Multiple sclerosis, Neurodisability, Social care, Support
Article type:	General review
DOI:	10.5042/scn.2010.0206 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Neurological disease and neurodisability cause significant disruption to families, who come under substantial pressure to adapt to changes in the condition over time. Family members are often disadvantaged in their coping because of infrequent access to professional consultations, and by default carers tend to neglect their own needs. One threat to relationships can be a pull towards acting as the main carer, even carrying out personal care tasks, especially if the family unit resists extending its boundaries to include paid carers. We discuss the distinct challenges that families are faced with at different stages of disease progression (emerging, diagnostic, longterm adaptation, crisis, chronic, and terminal) for one particular condition (multiple sclerosis or MS). A number of recommendations are made for supporting family members in the form of a ‘family care pathway’ for neurology and neurodisability.