Family members and caregivers receive information and support to mitigate the effects of MS.

Most MS-related services are provided to the person with MS by family members and other informal carers, who are also profoundly affected by having a relative or friend with MS. These family and friends benefit from services designed to help them cope with the stress and other impacts associated with the disease. Children can be affected by having a parent with MS and may not fully understand the reasons for a parent’s health problems, think they have somehow caused them or feel neglected as a member of the family. The effort required to maintain an effective parenting role despite the symptoms and disabilities of MS can be a major source of stress for people with MS. Conversely, maintaining a meaningful role as a parent can be a source of enhanced QOL. These principles acknowledge and address the special needs of care-givers to help maintain their quality of life when a person has MS.

5.1. Services and training must be available to family members and other informal carers affected by MS as well as to the person with MS. They must also be provided with information about available community services that may provide support. Ref 1,3,7,8,10,15,17,20,35,42,47,53,58,64,109,114,117,130,169-185

5.2. Respite care must be available to relieve the burden on family members and other informal carers. It should be available either in the home or in institutions providing continuing care. Ref 1,3,15,35,47,103,126,130,180,183-185

5.3. Family members and other informal caregivers must be routinely evaluated regarding their caregiving-related physical and emotional stress and other personal needs. Ref 1,3,15,35,42,47,103,117,127,130,136,169-182,184,185

5.4. People with MS and their families must have access to family and relationship counselling. Ref ,3,6,15,17,23,25,35,37,42,47,53,55,57,58,106,109,113,130,152,169-182,184,185

5.5. Services must be available to people with MS to aid them in their parenting responsibilities. Children are to be protected from taking on inappropriate roles as caregivers for parents with MS.Ref 1,3,6,25,31,35,37,47,126,130,152,174

5.6. Services must be available to prevent physical, financial, and psychological abuse of people with MS by family members and other informal caregivers. Ref 1,3,117,130,184