Aging with MS--study showing most of 683 people aging with MS are still at home

[agate]

In Canada they studied 683 people over 55 with MS (average age: 64) and found that a large majority (657) are still living at home, with or without a spouse or partner. On average these people had had MS for 32.9 years. This seems like really encouraging news for everyone with MS.

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[stillstANNding]

Another good reason for moving to Canada! ;-)

ANN

[Virginia]

Agate, well yes encouraging, but is that what they call aging now?lol How are people doing when they get to OLD? That is my question.

[agate]

Virginia, the people involved varied in age from over 55 to over 75. We don't find out how many of them are in each age group.

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The participants ranged in age from 55 to 88. There were 377 in the 55-64 age group, 255 in the 65-74 age group, and 51 in the 75 and older group.

[SalpalSally]

I'm in the 75 year old group and not home...waaaaaaaa!

[agate]

Still hoping that a way can be found to get you back home, Sally.

[SalpalSally]

Soon home will be sold....waaaaaa!

[agate]

I'm so sorry, Sally, and I hope that won't really happen. But if it does, there are lots of other places out there. Not the home you remember, but places that wouldn't be a nursing home, and if your belongings are to be kept, I hope that you could have all of them with you, wherever that place may be.

It's not just being in our familiar surroundings that matters to us--knowing where the light switches are, being able to find your way around in total darkness because you know the place so well, knowing the familiar sounds and being able to sort out the familiar noises from the unfamiliar ones--all of that.

It's also having all of the things that you treasure with you. Most nursing homes--at least the ones I've had anything to do with--don't give you any space to speak of, and no really private space. There's nothing like a door you can lock the world out of.

It doesn't absolutely have to be the house you've been in for many years. It can be any place with a locking door and enough room for you AND the belongings that matter to you.

[Virginia]

So true Agate! I am in the same group as Sally, but thankfully and very gratefully still at home.

Sally, Agate is right - it doesn't have to be the same house, but it is very much about having your own things around you. Your own little space with your own things.

[SalpalSally]

Unless a miracle happens it's not gonna happen....sigh!

I must accept lt! Please help me to accept it!!!

[Frog42]

Whatever happens, Sally, we'll be here for you.

[Virginia]

We will be here for you and we also care very much. We do not know when or if we will join you, but all of those who live alone without family who will or can come in, face that possibility. That doesn't make it any easier for you, but if you can get all the things of yours that you are able to have maybe it will help you to accept the rest. Sally, tomorrow might bring a brighter day for you and we all hope that.

((((Hugs))))