7 tips for families of people with MS

Many relatives want to "do everything right" - andquickly feel overwhelmed. The following seven tips should help you to manage your everyday life with MS a little more calmly and consciously.

1. inform yourself - preferably together

The more you know about MS, the better you can understand what is happening - and what is not. Obtain information from trustworthy sources, such as doctors, MS societies or reputable websites. It is particularly valuable if you search for information together with the person affected: This creates an open basis for discussion, strengthens mutual understanding and prevents unfounded worries or uncertainties from arising. Take time together to collect questions or address any uncertainties directly with specialists. This joint learning can help to avoid misunderstandings and gain more confidence in everyday life.

2 Ask questions and listen

Instead of guessing what your relative needs, ask directly: "How are you feeling today?" or "What would help you right now?" Honest, genuine interest is crucial here. Make sure you listen carefully - without relativizing ("It's not that bad") or offering hasty solutions. Make room for feelings and accept silence, uncertainty or the need to withdraw. Often the greatest support comes from being present, enduring, providing empathetic support and showing: "You're not alone, I'm here for you." This appreciation and serene empathy alone will create a feeling of security and trust, which can be an important source of strength in everyday life together.

3 Reorganize everyday life together

MS can make everyday tasks more difficult - especially if you have fatigue, pain or restricted mobility. Go through everyday life together: What does the person affected still manage well, where do small adjustments help, and what can be taken over by others? Think together about which tasks can be simplified or divided up. Support from family, friends or professional services such as SpitexCare provides relief - regularly or in difficult phases. An open distribution of tasks relieves pressure, makes burdens visible and prevents individuals from overextending themselves. In this way, everyone remains active and involved according to their abilities.

4. support independence

Support does not mean taking over everything. Instead, ask: "Would you like me to do this for you or would you like to try it yourself?" Aids, adapted routines and short breaks often make it possible to continue doing many things independently. This strengthens the affected person's self-esteem - and relieves you as a relative in the long term. You as a relative.

5 Stay flexible with plans

MS is often unpredictable: What goes well today may be too much tomorrow. Therefore, consciously plan with a "buffer". If possible, meet in places where you can sit down or retreat if necessary. Make sure you travel shorter distances, use transportation services if possible and build in breaks. Be understanding if you have to cancel at short notice - a spontaneous energy slump is not uncommon with MS. A "No stress, we'll just postpone it" takes a lot of pressure off at such times and shows that relationships and well-being are more important than fixed plans.

6. take care of yourself

Relatives are often on call around the clock - emotionally and practically. Don't forget your own needs: allow yourself time off without a guilty conscience, maintain your own contacts, hobbies and rest periods and talk about your stress - with friends, family or advice centers. Only those who look after themselves can be there for others in the long term.

7. get support from outside

No one has to deal with the situation alone. There are a variety of services and contact points that can help you: MS advice centers and self-help groups for sufferers and relatives offer space for exchange, information and understanding. If the burden becomes very great, psychological support can help you to sort out your feelings, develop new coping strategies and prevent exhaustion.

Social services, home care services and respite services are also available to provide you with practical support in everyday life - be it help with household chores, personal hygiene or hourly relief so that you can relax. Sharing experiences with people in similar situations can be particularly beneficial: Hearing how others deal with similar challenges is relieving, takes away the feeling of isolation and often provides practical ideas for everyday life that you can try out step by step.

Finding ways together

MS changes life - for those affected and for their families. But you are not at the mercy of it: With knowledge, open communication, clear division of tasks, flexibility and support from outside, you can find ways together to ensure that life at home remains worth living and connected despite MS.