Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease that affects every individual uniquely, and therefore carries just as unique caregiving responsibilities for their loved ones.

Certainly people newly diagnosed with M.S. or who are in remission have very light needs of caregivers, whether those people are a spouse, adult children, or other family or friends. But if the disease is advanced, the caregiving load can be full-time.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease that affects the body's central nervous system.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a free downloadable guide for caregivers that provides tips on how to care for themselves, how to manage severe physical symptoms, hiring professional home care and more.

The reality is that caring for someone with M.S. is going to be very different than caring for a loved one with any other progressive illness. "Here we take care of people who have both M.S. and other neurological disorders," said Chris Dunbar, a social worker with the Rocky Mountain M.S. Society, who works at the King Adult Day Center in Denver, Col. Mr. Dunbar explained that M.S. lesions affect the brain in different ways -- there might be a person who is barely mobile speaking in whispers who is still very mentally sharp, sitting across from someone who appears physically able but no longer has good judgment or who has other mental and emotional problems. "It can create quite a challenge to the caregiver, and it will change over time," he said.

Doug Hawk is still able to care for his wife in their Denver home, but he knows that his caregiving responsibilities will expand as her M.S. progresses. "The fatigue factor is amazing," he said. "I do a lot of stuff around the house -- I clean the house, I do all the shopping, all the chores."

His wife Jean noticed her first symptoms in 1998 when her arm consistently hurt, and then one day she simply fell down for no reason. She was diagnosed with M.S. in 1999, and after experiencing some vision problems she decided to let her driver's license lapse. At one point, she needed her husband's help injecting her medication daily and nurses trained him how to give his wife injections.

"I think the most important thing is patience," Mr. Hawk said. "You can get overwhelmed. If she needs something, I do it immediately. Just do what you have to do and don't get upset about it. Take it one step at a time."

That same wisdom goes for altering life plans together. "It took us both about a year to come to grips with it after she was diagnosed," he said. "We had thought when we both retired we would take a lot of car trips together. But now we don't do anything. She is exhausted by the time she gets dressed."

Akrista L'Berg of Ohio, blogs with her husband Cir, about his multiple sclerosis and her role as his caregiver at "Life in Spite of M.S." Mr. L'Berg was diagnosed with M.S. almost 20 years ago, but had to quit working 12 years ago when his symptoms interfered with his work as a salesman.

Read more:
Leann Reynolds: Multiple Sclerosis and Caregiving