Multiple Sclerosis a silent killer, sufferer tells “A huge obstacle in the care of MS sufferers is to find affordable care, especially in an advanced stage of the illness. MS sufferers who receive a disability grant struggle to find this accommodation and are mostly dependent on family for financial support. The costs involved are very high.” The cost of a care unit can be anything between R5000 and R15000. “Then there are costs such as medication, diapers, (about R500 per month), clothing and toiletries, medical equipment such as wheelchairs and special mattresses. These are basic costs and exclude the costs of a therapist - a necessary part of treatment of MS.” She says a basic subsidy of R2148 is paid to registered care facilities by the Department of Social Development for patients earning less than R1400 per month. “With the disability grant of R1260 there are few organisations which can give full-time nursing care at this cost.” The subsidy falls away if the person is younger than 60, but if they were admitted before 2006, when the Older Persons Law was passed, and they’re younger than 60, they still qualify. It is particularly difficult to care for younger sufferers of MS. “This is because the illness touches the person on all levels - physically, psychologically, socially and financially. It affects the neurological and immune systems and the symptoms are discernable from a young age - as young as 20. “The most common symptoms are tiredness, lack of concentration, pain prickles, muscle weakening and dejectedness. In some instances it affects the person’s functioning and the person stops being productive at a young age and cannot work. “A younger suffer cannot enjoy any of the things they used to, like hobbies, and the person can quite literally become trapped in a body that will not cooperate.” A team of doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists need to help maintain the patient’s functioning as long as possible. A sufferer becomes incontinent and can easily choke on food because of weak muscles. “Older persons’ level of acceptance of the illness is more ready - they’ve had a full life. Denial with younger sufferers is sometimes problematic, because they wish for medical staff to be visited regularly - to see if there is anything that can help the patient walk again or better their condition. “With younger patients a computer and internet is a valuable way to communicate and keep social contact. The Multiple Sclerosis Society runs a huge social media support group on Facebook. A special computer with a big keyboard makes a huge difference. Older people also more readily accept the illness because they may have children or grandchildren. “This is something a younger sufferer may never have had if the illness struck at a young age.” The Multiple Sclerosis Society does a lot to raise funds to keep running the foundation annually. Find them at multiplesclerosis.co.za. Unfortunately the Health authorities in SA does not support MS.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 14:18:32 +0000
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