A quantitative study of unpaid caregiving in multiple sclerosis

Data on healthcare utilisation by MS Patients of different grades of disabi lity were collected using the method of a prospective diary. Professional c ore providers and unpaid caregivers noted during 4 weeks the time they spen t and the types of support they Provided. The total homecaring time of fami ly and friends amounted to 4.6 and 12 h per day for the moderately and the severely disabled MS patients respectively The time for unpaid core activit ies such as mobility help, nursing core and personal core of moderately and severely disabled patients amounted to 0.5 and 2 h per day, exceeding the time for professional medical and paramedical core at home. Eighty per cent of informal homecaring is Provided by Persons living with the Patients, pr imarily the partner who Provides 60% of homecaring time. Severely disturbed bowel function and absence of a partner were associated with permanent ins titutionalisation.