Eventually a person’s mobility level drops to the point where MS aids are required for even the simplest tasks. Multiple Sclerosis aids include many forms of assistive equipment used by individuals who have temporarily lost mobility due to current MS symptoms or have become permanently disabled from the disease. Aids used by MS patients also include items intended to enhance life by making it more comfortable, such as cooling products for battling heat intolerance. Individuals who have MS and who are accustomed to spending a lot of time outdoors require the ability to maintain a cooler body temperature, in order to reduce the amount of pain caused by a higher environmental temperature.
Taking a shower or a bath can become more difficult as MS progresses. A special chair can be placed inside the tub to enable a person with limited mobility to continue to bath without the assistance of a caregiver. Bars and handles can be added to the side of the tub, shower, or surrounding wall to provide a bit of stability for a person having issues with balance, due to MS. Adjustable beds and lifts in reclining chairs help with the task of getting out of bed once muscle weakness takes over. As MS advances to a more progressive state, a walker or wheelchair might be necessary for an individual to be able to get from one place to another. Any of these special aids help MS patients remain as independent as possible.
Aids with dual purposes are especially handy for MS patients. An endless pool is one example of such an aid. These are small pools that can fit inside a person’s home, if need be, and they not only enable an individual to exercise for maintaining strength, but they are great for cooling down as well. Individuals with MS tend to have an intolerance to heat and using cooling products is often a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Cooling aids come in the form of vests, headbands, hats, neckties, wristbands, and misting fans. Any of these items can be a lifesaver to an individual with MS.
Grants for Adaptive Equipment
MS organizations around the world secure funds for not only research of MS, but also for the individual needs of MS patients. Obtaining assistive or adaptive equipment isn’t always possible for many people with MS, due to the expensive medications involved with this disease. Non-profit organizations offer a number of grants which can be applied for to help people who need special equipment. Groups try to fill as many needs for MS aids as possible with the grant money they’ve received from donations. Some groups supply Multiple Sclerosis aids on a loan basis too, which enables people to get temporary assistance while they wait for something more permanent to be available.
