ALS

What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is also known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND), Lou Gehrig's Disease, and Charcot's disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. ALS attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This results in the wasting away of muscle, loss of movement, and eventual paralysis. There are an estimated 30,000 people living with ALS in the United States at any given time. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS.

ALS can affect anyone of any age, gender, or race. However, for the most part, ALS affects people between the ages of 40 and 70.

What are the early signs and symptoms of ALS? 

muscle cramps and muscle twitching
weakness in hands, legs, feet or ankles
difficulty speaking or swallowing

How long do people live with ALS? 

ALS is not experienced in the same way among all those diagnosed, and the manner and speed at which the disease moves throughout a person's body can vary greatly. Most people live about 3-5 years after they experience their first signs of disease, with one in ten people surviving at least 10 years. 

Is there a cure for ALS? 

Currently, there are no effective cures or treatments to stop the disease progression of ALS.

Living with ALS

If you just found out you have ALS, your happiness depends on doing all you can to live independently for as long as you can. You’ll find products here that will help you do just that – as well as tools that will help you and your loved ones as your disease progresses.

Homecare Bedroom

Hospital Beds (in semi-electric or full electric versions)
Bed Accessories (choose from egg crate mattresses, low air loss and gel mattresses to help prevent and reduce bedsores)
Over-Bed Tables (available in flat or tilting models)
Bedside Commodes (with removable pails. Easily converted to be used directly over the toilet)
Patient Lifts and Slings (assist in transfers from the bed. Available in manual and fully electric models)

Trapeze Bars (hang over a bed and help you lift yourself to a sitting position or change positions)
Lift Chairs (Assist patients with difficulty getting up from a chair. Come in numerous styles, fabric grades, and colors)
Safety Polls and Rails (offer stability when rising or sitting as well as from accidental falls)

Mobility Products

Quad Canes (have a base with four points of contact on the floor to provide extra stability and support for people when walking)

Forearm Crutches (used by those who have long-term or permanent mobility problems)
Walkers (help you remain mobile by providing stability and support while walking)
Rollators (walkers with wheels and brakes to eliminate having to lift the walker to walk. Brakes offer extra security when going down inclines. The walkers fold for transport and many have seats so users can sit and rest when they get tired)
Manual Wheelchairs (available in a variety of styles and sizes. The standard basic wheelchair folds easily for transport, has locking wheels, detachable footrests that swing away for transferring, footplates, elevating leg rests, and armrests that are either permanent full length or removable desk length. Optional features include reclining backs, adjustable seat length, hemi or low seat frames, articulating footrests, solid tires, and anti-tipping devices)
Transport or Companion Wheelchairs (available in lightweight models and are designed to be pushed by the caregiver)

Lightweight Wheelchairs (weigh much less than standard chairs and are easier to self-propel)
Power Wheelchairs (motorized wheelchairs that are controlled by either a joystick or a puff mechanism. Primarily used by quadriplegics or people who cannot maneuver a regular wheelchair)
Scooters or Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) (provide motorized transportation for individuals who either need or prefer power mobility. Scooters can be used indoors and outdoors and are available in both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive models. They also come in lightweight models that break down for easy transport)

Respiratory Products

Oxygen (relieves low blood oxygen levels and improves mental functioning. Oxygen can be supplied as liquid, gas or with a concentrator)

Concentrators (supplies 90 to 95 percent pure oxygen. The concentrators can be set to deliver a specific oxygen flow ranging from 1 to 6 liters per minute)
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure units for patients with sleep apnea_
BiPAP (differs from CPAP in that it is bi-level and enables the patient to enjoy a more natural breathing pattern. Patients have the option of decreased pressure during exhalation)
Ventilators (maintains normal respiratory functions for patients who are unable to continue breathing on their own)
Aids for Daily Living (ADLs)

Reachers

Dressing Aids

Velcro Buttons
Zipper Pullers
Door Openers

Lamp Switches
Key Turners
Pill Dispensers/Cutters/Crushers
Eye Droppers
Long-Handled Combs

Bathing Tools
Special Utensils and Dishes
Kitchen Aids (designed to help open jars, containers, and boxes)
Kitchen Aids (designed to help open jars, containers, and boxes)

Bath Safety Products

Bedpans and Urinals
Elevated Toilet Seats
Bedside Commodes (stand-alone toilet seats with a removable pail. Can also be used directly over the toilet)
Bath Chairs
Transfer Benches

Handheld Showers
Grab Bars

“I thought of my new uncertainty: How long can I live with ALS?
I thought: "Don't search for answers. Live the question."
Enjoy life more because of the uncertainty, not less.”
― Susan Spencer-Wendel

“There's nothing more debilitating about a disability than the way people treat you over it.”
― Solange nicole