Care In the Community

MS can affect different areas of your life and may change how you approach your day-to-day activities. There are many community resources and programs available to people living with MS that can make life with MS easier to manage. MS Canada programs can provide emotional support and help you navigate the daily challenges of MS. Navigators with MS Canada’s Knowledge Network can help connect you to services in your community which can range from help with home maintenance, such as lawn care or home cleaning services, to more specialized programs that allow people to remain living at home, such as personal care workers, day programs and visiting nurses. In addition to the following community services, there are support and self-help groups, recreation and other social events individuals can connect with through MS Canada or other community agencies.

Day Programs

These programs, provided by various community organizations, are supervised community activities and programming for adults living with disabilities. Day programs allow people to be out in their communities while also receiving personal care (where necessary). Not all communities have day programs, and eligibility and cost may vary.

Respite Services

Respite services provide primary caregivers with a needed break from their caregiving role and responsibilities. Depending on where an individual lives, respite services may be offered in-home or short-stay at a long-term care facility. Some programs will offer a licensed personal care worker to provide care for a loved one while the caregiver is away. These programs are offered through most provincial health ministries and private companies. There may be an associated fee, and offerings in each province and private company will vary.

Personal Care/Support Workers

Personal care workers assist individuals in their own home with personal care, bathing, dressing, hair care and meal preparation. Services may be offered on a short-term or long-term basis and can be reassessed as needed. Some programs may be called ‘Home Care Services'. These programs are offered through most provincial health ministries and private companies. There may be an associated fee, and offerings in each province and private company will vary.

Visiting Nurses

Nursing services may be offered to individuals in the privacy of their own home. Individuals may receive support with medication administration, pain management, foot care and disease management and therapy. These programs are offered through most provincial health ministries and private companies. There may be an associated fee, and offerings in each province and private company will vary.

Volunteer Programs

Volunteer programs may be available in your community. Activities will vary depending on the program, province and community but may include companionship, reading, outings and transportation.

Home Maintenance Services

Home maintenance services may include light house cleaning, year-round yard and snow maintenance and laundry services. Some communities have volunteer programs and most have private paid services available.

Physical Activity Programs

There is a growing number of fitness and exercise programs available to people living with disabilities. These physical activity programs provide individuals living with a disability, options to remain active and engaged socially. MS Canada provides a variety of virtual wellness programs to engage those living with MS with physical activity.

Equipment and Assistive Devices

In addition to mobility aids (wheelchairs, scooters, walkers or canes) there are a variety of other independent living tools that may be useful for the kitchen, bathroom, workplace, leisure and electronic devices. These aids are typically prescribed by occupational therapists or physical therapists and may be funded by provincial equipment programs, non-profit organizations, as well as the MS Canada Quality of Life Program. To learn more about this process, please contact MS Canada’s MS Navigators for assistance. 

Home, Workplace or Vehicle Modifications

Some individuals may need to modify their living and workspace as well as their vehicle to accommodate physical or cognitive changes associated with MS. Some provinces and other community organizations offer financial assistance with home and vehicle modifications for individuals living with disabilities.

Employers have a ‘duty to accommodate to the point of undue hardship’, which means an employer would have to provide evidence that the proposed accommodation would pose an undue risk to the health and safety of people in the workplace.

Our team of MS Navigators are available to Canadians from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday. Simply reach out via phone, email, or live chat. It's important to note that our MS Navigators are not healthcare or crisis professionals — for personal health-related questions, we encourage you to speak to your health care team.