Raising awareness for ALS

As a national partner with The ALS Association, BAYADA Home Health Care is committed to helping increase public awareness about ALS and offering resources and support for those affected by the disease.

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. As the motor neurons die, this leads to paralysis of all muscles under voluntary control, including those for the face, mouth, arms, legs, back, and breathing.

There is no known cause of the disease, and military veterans are approximately twice as likely as the general population to develop ALS.

According to The ALS Association:

• Every 90 seconds, a person is diagnosed and another person dies from ALS
• An estimated 30,000 Americans have ALS at any given time
• Approximately 10% of ALS is familial and 90% sporadic (occurring randomly)
• Caring for a person with advanced ALS can cost more than $200,000 annually

Symptoms of ALS

There is no one test to confirm an ALS diagnosis, so the individual and their doctor must observe the symptoms over a period of time to rule out other possible diseases. Symptoms can include:

• Muscle weakness, wasting, cramping, or twitching
• Slurred, slow speech
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Inability to control emotions
• Slow and uncoordinated movements

Managing ALS at home

The greatest challenge of living with ALS is managing the disease as it progresses. People with ALS will need support to maintain comfort and dignity as muscle paralysis increases and they lose the functional ability required for even the simplest daily activities.

In-home support can include:

Assistive care for individuals who have limited mobility, need help preparing meals and eating, or require assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming.

Nursing care to manage respiratory and feeding issues, administer medications, and manage pain and symptoms

Therapies to help with more advanced exercise and mobility issues, recommend assistive devices to maximize independence, teach strategies that help with speaking, and offer family members tips on safe lifting, home modifications, and more

Additional resources To learn more about ALS:

• Visit The ALS Association’s campaign landing page
• View stories and videos from people impacted by the disease and share them on social media
• Become an ALS advocate to help influence lawmakers on important issues facing people with the disease
• Sign up to receive important and timely information from The ALS Association
• Make a donation to support the fight against ALS
• Like The ALS Association on Facebook
• Follow The ALS Association on Twitter @alsassociation

To learn more about home health care for those with ALS:

Visit bayada.com/ALS and read a story about how home health care helped one client live life to the fullest.

Note: This article is for information only and is not a substitute for a consultation with a qualified professional.