THE FACE OF MS CAREGIVERS
A new poll of MS caregivers sheds light on the effect caregiving has on us all.
BY:MARC LICHTER
If those caring for a family member or a friend with multiple sclerosis can be used as an indicator of how caregiving affects the caregiver’s life, here are some interesting results.According to a recent Harris Interactive study prepared for Acordia Therapeutics, Inc., and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, caregiving certainly will change the caregiver’s life—sometimes for the better and sometimes not.
The research, based on a sample of 1,011 American adults with MS and 317 American adults aged 18 and over who are currently caring for a family member or friend with MS, covered issues from experiences with MS to use of mobility devices to the effect of exercise to the impact on quality of life and more.
A few caregiver-specific questions proved to have fascinating answers. For example:
Regarding employment…
- 47 percent of caregivers are employed full-time
- 13 percent part-time
- 11 percent self-employed
But of those caregivers who are employed…
- 27 percent say the impact of MS on their work life has caused them to suffer a loss of personal income
- 46 percent say that their care recipient’s MS has negatively impacted their work life
- 32 percent had to take time off
- 15 percent reduced their hours
- 16 percent asked their employer to make accommodations
- 10 percent stopped work
- 6 percent changed careers
- 6 percent took a less demanding job within the company
Even so, MS caregivers have a positive perspective…
- 44 percent strongly agree and 47 percent somewhat agree that they cope well with their caregiving responsibilities
- 30 percent strongly agree and 55 percent somewhat agree that caregiving has made them a stronger person