AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) INFORMATION

Augmentative Communication Devices in ALS

If speech changes occur due to ALS, this article will assist you in understanding how and who will help you approach these changes as well as what options you have.

Advance Directives

Decisions regarding your health care need to be done in advance. This article will assist you in understanding how to obtain and complete an advanced directive.

Vitamin therapies

The understanding of alternative therapy in ALS continues to develop. This article will assist you in understanding an overall approach to vitamin therapies in ALS

Alternative Treatments for ALS.

Alternative therapy in ALS includes several different treatment modalities (Energy Healing, acupuncture etc.). This article will help you to understand which therapies may be of assistance to you.

Children’s Bibliography

Speaking with children about illness and physical changes is often a challenge. This will provide you with some excellent age based resources for talking with a child about how ALS makes them feel and changes that occur in a family due to medical illness.

Caregiver Bibliography & The role of Caregivers

Being a caregiver to someone with ALS is an important role but one that needs as much attention as that of the patient. This article will help you to understand available resources, and ways of coping and living as a caregiver.

Constipation Guidelines

As a result of immobility or leg weakness, patients with ALS may experience constipation. This article will help you understand how to manage and ultimately conquer constipation.

Depression

It is often difficult when physical changes occur due to ALS as it is emotionally affecting to be diagnosed with ALS. This article will help you to understand the emotional factors in ALS, how it is managed and how to get the support you deserve.

Dysphagia Management

ALS may cause weakness of the muscles used in swallowing. This article will help guide you to assess changes in swallowing, manage those changes and describe the role of the speech pathologist and nutritionist in your care.

Genetics of ALS

5-10% of ALS cases are genetically inherited. This article will help you to understand the genetic issue of ALS, how to be tested and the role of the genetic counselor.

Home Care

If an individual is having difficulty getting out of the house due to muscle weakness, home based services may be an option for you. This article will discuss how to access home care and what types of services are available.

Hospice Care

Hospice is a service for individuals who do not choose life extensive technology at the end of their life. Services are geared toward quality rather than quantity of life and are provided either in your home or a facility. This article will help you understand more about the role of hospice in ALS.

Insurance Coverage in ALS

How do you know what services your insurance covers, for how long or by what provider? This article will help you to understand these issues as they relate to ALS.

Respiratory Management in ALS

When breathing changes occur in ALS it is important to know what choices you have to help you breath better. This article will review respiratory changes, the role of BiPAP (non invasive breathing assistance) and mechanical ventilation (invasive breathing assistance), as well as the pulmonologist's role in your care.

Mouth Care

When oral weakness occurs, it often makes oral hygiene a challenge. There also may be dry mouth or excessive saliva. This article will assist you in managing these issues better.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is designed to assist individuals when there are changes in their arms and hands, ability to access their environment due to weakness and is an important component of the ALS team. This article will help you to understand how OT can help you.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy (PT) is designed to assist individuals when there are changes in muscle function of the body. PT assists with gait training, exercise programs, braces, wheelchairs and other medical devices and is an essential part of the ALS team. This article will help you understand the role of PT in your care.

Nutrition in ALS

Nutritional wellness is an important part of ALS care. This article will help you address your nutritional needs, understand the role of the nutritionist, as well as the speech pathologist in your care. Feeding tubes and supplemental intake are also addressed.

Travel and Lodging with Disabilities

Knowing how to continue traveling for social or work purposes when you have a disability, and what organizations are out there to help are discussed in this article.

Waiting for Wheelchairs

When leg weakness necessitates the use of a wheelchair — where do I go, who helps me, who pays and how long does it take are important question to have answers to. These answers and more are available.