Multiple sclerosis care at home in Bromsgrove and Redditch

Living with multiple sclerosis can make daily life feel unpredictable.

At Bluebird Care Bromsgrove & Redditch, we provide multiple sclerosis care at home that fits around you.

Our care professionals can offer practical help, personal care and reassurance while supporting you to keep making your own choices.

Whether you need a little help each week or regular care throughout the day and night, we’ll take the time to understand how MS affects you and what matters most in your life.

Local MS support that fits around your day

No two people experience MS in the same way.

Symptoms can come and go, change over time or affect different parts of everyday life. You may experience tiredness, pain, stiffness, changes to movement or difficulty with balance. MS can also affect vision, memory, concentration, bladder or bowel routines.

Our local team supports adults living across Bromsgrove, Redditch and nearby communities.

Before care begins, we’ll talk with you about:

• How MS affects your daily life

• What you manage for yourself

• Where you would welcome some help

• Your usual routines and preferences

• The activities and relationships that matter to you

• Any advice from your MS nurse, GP or healthcare team

We’ll then agree a care plan with you that can change when your circumstances change.

How can multiple sclerosis care at home help?

A care professional can support you with:

• Getting washed, dressed and ready for the day

• Using the toilet and managing continence routines

• Catheter or stoma care where this has been assessed and agreed

• Preparing meals and drinks

• Shopping and collecting prescriptions

• Agreed support with prescribed medication

• Moving safely around your home

• Using mobility equipment

• Light household tasks and laundry

• Attending appointments

• Getting out into the local community

• Following exercises recommended by your healthcare team

• Companionship and reassurance

• Evening routines and getting ready for bed

• Support during the night

The help you receive will reflect your abilities, preferences and agreed care plan.

We’ll support you without taking over the things you can and want to continue doing for yourself.

Support with tiredness and changing energy levels

Tiredness linked to MS can feel very different from ordinary tiredness. It may appear suddenly and make everyday tasks much harder.

A care professional can help you plan your day around the times when you usually have more energy.

This may mean helping with personal care in the morning, preparing meals in advance or taking care of household tasks so you can save your energy for the things you enjoy.

They can also give you time to rest without feeling rushed.

Your care will be built around your routine, rather than expecting every day to look the same.

Help with movement and mobility

MS may affect strength, balance, coordination or the way you move around your home.

A care professional can support you to move safely, use agreed mobility equipment and follow guidance from your physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

They can also help you continue with activities that keep you connected to your community. This might mean accompanying you to an appointment, visiting friends or enjoying some fresh air close to home.

The aim is to help you feel secure while keeping as much choice and independence as possible.

Personal care that respects your choices

Changes in movement or energy can make washing, dressing and using the toilet more difficult.

Our care professionals can provide personal care in the way you prefer. They’ll explain what they are doing, listen to you and give you time.

Support may include:

• Washing or bathing

• Dressing

• Hair and oral care

• Using the toilet

• Continence care

• Changing position

• Getting in and out of bed

You’ll remain involved in decisions about your care and be encouraged to do whatever feels comfortable for you.

Support with meals and drinks

MS can sometimes affect energy, movement or swallowing, making shopping and preparing meals harder.

A care professional can help you plan meals, shop for ingredients and prepare food that reflects your preferences and any guidance from your healthcare team.

They can also make sure drinks are within reach and support you to eat at the times that suit your routine.

Where swallowing has become difficult, we’ll follow the advice provided by the relevant healthcare professional.

Care during a relapse or change in symptoms

Some people living with MS experience periods when new symptoms appear or existing symptoms become more noticeable.

During these times, you may need more help than usual with movement, personal care, meals or household tasks.

We can review your care and adjust the support you receive.

Our care professionals will not diagnose a relapse or change your treatment. They can notice changes in how you usually feel, follow your agreed care plan and contact the right person when needed.

Care can also be reduced again when you feel able to manage more for yourself.

Support alongside other health conditions

Some people living with MS also manage other health or mobility needs.

You may experience pain, reduced strength, bladder or bowel changes, memory difficulties, low mood or problems with sleep. You may also be recovering from an illness, infection or hospital stay.

We’ll look at the full picture when agreeing your care.

Your care plan can include support with personal care, meals, movement, household tasks, prescribed medication and getting out into the community.

We can also follow guidance from your MS nurse, GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or another healthcare professional involved in your care.

Care that can change with you

MS can affect people differently over time.

You may need a small amount of support during settled periods and more help when symptoms change. You may also need extra care after a relapse, illness or hospital stay.

We can provide:

• Regular home care visits

• Support at set times of the day

• Short-term care

• Respite care

• Overnight care

• Live-in care

We’ll review your care with you and adjust the support when your needs or circumstances change.

Supporting work, family life and relationships

Living with MS can affect more than physical health.

You may be balancing work, family responsibilities, friendships and appointments. The people close to you may also take on more practical support over time.

Care at home can give you and your family more breathing space.

A care professional can help with everyday tasks so you can use your time and energy on the people and activities that matter most to you.

This might mean getting ready for work, spending time with your children, meeting a friend or simply enjoying a quieter day at home.

Working alongside your healthcare team

Your MS nurse, GP or another healthcare professional will remain responsible for your medical care and treatment.

With your permission, we can work alongside them and follow the guidance they provide.

This may include support with movement, exercises, meals, continence care, prescribed medication or equipment.

Our care professionals will not diagnose changes in your condition or alter your treatment. They will follow your agreed care plan and contact the right person when something needs attention.

Why choose Bluebird Care Bromsgrove & Redditch?

Choosing care at home is a personal decision.

You need to feel comfortable with the people coming into your home and confident that they will listen to you.

Our local team takes time to understand:

• How MS affects your daily life

• What you manage for yourself

• Where you would welcome support

• Your usual routine

• Your interests and preferences

• Any equipment you use

• The people involved in your care

• What helps you feel comfortable and confident

We’ll carefully match you with care professionals who can get to know you and support you in the way you prefer.

Where possible, we’ll provide a small and familiar team.

Getting started with MS care at home

You do not need to wait until daily life feels unmanageable before asking for help.

Our Bromsgrove & Redditch team will listen to what is happening and talk through the support available.

We’ll arrange a meeting to learn more about your health, home and routine. We’ll also discuss the tasks you would like help with and any guidance from your healthcare team.

From there, we’ll agree a care plan with you.

Your care can begin with a small amount of support and change over time.

Talk to our local team

The right support can make everyday life with MS feel more manageable.

Whether you need a little help each week or regular care throughout the day and night, our Bromsgrove & Redditch team is here to listen.

We’ll help you find care that fits around your symptoms, routines and the way you want to live.

Because, as everyone knows, it’s good to be home.