|
Health Literacy &
|
|
- Skin Care: promote proper skin hygiene and care to prevent pressure ulcers and skin breakdown. Pay particular attention to spots such as heels, ankles, elbows, sacrum, back of the head, hips, knees, shoulders/shoulder blades.
- Emotional Support: connect with support groups, counseling, therapy. Teach patients and caregivers to monitor for signs of depression and emotional changes.
- Overheating: patients with MS often have strong heat intolerance. Teach patients how to recognize warning signs of heat intolerance, which can exacerbate symptoms. May require behavioural modifications, such as exercising in morning/evening, wearing loose clothing/fewer layers, avoid taking hot showers/baths, exercise caution when using hot tubs, spas, and saunas, keep house cool in the summertime, avoid hot beverages.
- Home Safety: educate patient on how to prevent falls at home and how to properly use assistive devices. Assess whether patient may require an assistive device(s) for their home.
References: Chiovetti, 2006; Kopke & Kasper, 2009; Reitman, 2010; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2014; Mayo Clinic, 2016, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, 2016.