Caregiver Burden: Meeting the Needs of People who Support the Person with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Reliance on informal arrangements to support the person with multiple sclerosis (MS) is an increasingly common phenomenon. The focus of this Australian-based research is on the impact of the caregiver role, the identification of stressors that might prevent a continuation of the role, and the determination of resources needed by caregivers to continue in this role.

Using surveys that were sent through the mail, the views of 34 people who care for an individual with MS were collected in order to identify the caregivers’ views on the impact of their role. The results indicate that caregivers provide between 2 and 10 hours daily of physical, emotional, financial, or informational support to the person with MS. The majority of people who provide support to individuals with MS are married to them; they provide care out of love; and they are overtaxed by day-to-day tasks with reduced physical, emotional, and financial resources. Caregivers requested practical support rather than information to reduce their burden.