STAGES OF MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY( MSA)
• Speech therapy for recommendations on devices and strategies that can help with communication
• At this stage, home health therapy may be more convenient than participating in outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy
• 24-hour care may be required; if circumstances permit, this can be supplemented with professional caregivers, or moving to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility; respite time is important for the well-being of care partners
• Close monitoring of swallowing function is important due to risk of choking and aspiration and likely need for changes to the consistency of food; it might be helpful to do another swallow evaluation to further understand the current level of swallowing function
• Finalize any healthcare decisions, such as designating a power of attorney and deciding on advanced directives like a do not resuscitate( DNR) order or a living will
End Stage
The end stage is usually very difficult for care partners and loved ones. This stage may be several months or more but may also occur quickly based on a variety of factors, like if the person has any other chronic medical conditions or if they develop an infection such as a urinary tract infection( UTI). No matter what, the end stage can be a very vulnerable and intense time as the person requires hands-on and near-constant care. Motor symptoms people may experience:
• Inability to walk
• Significant impairment in motor function and movement Speech and swallowing symptoms people may experience:
• Inability to communicate
• Inability to maintain nutrition through eating due to difficulty swallowing Autonomic symptoms people may experience:
• Bladder and bowel incontinence
• Weight loss Impact on daily living:
• Complete support is required for all daily activities Treatment, care or resources people can utilize:
• Hospice services to ease the transition and support quality of life through minimizing physical discomfort for the person with the disease and assisting the family in how to best monitor and provide care.
• A neurologist may still be helpful in finding medications to alleviate symptoms
How CurePSP Can Help
Medical treatments and supportive therapies should be tailored to your individual needs regardless of stage. We encourage you to talk to your healthcare team and tap into additional CurePSP resources, such as booklets, webinars and support groups, to learn more about MSA and how to best receive the care you need for your unique disease journey. We are here to answer any questions you may have and to help you feel as supported and informed as possible.