What support is available after an ALS diagnosis?

Support after an ALS diagnosis initially comes from a healthcare team of doctors and other specialists who can explain and offer treatment options. A newly diagnosed person with ALS may also benefit from therapy to support their mental health. A social worker at an ALS clinic or ALS organization can provide connections to local support groups, referral to home-care and respite services, and other community connections. ALS organizations and foundations run in-person and online support groups that bring together those living with ALS into a peer-led community for shared experiences, emotional support, coping strategies, and advice from healthcare professionals.

What are the available treatment options for ALS?

Treatment for ALS encompasses approved treatments , such as medications to treat symptoms and experimental treatments aimed at slowing the course of the disorder, along with supportive forms of therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and psychotherapy and counseling.

Does health insurance cover ALS treatment and care?

All people with ALS in the U.S. who receive Social Security Disability Insurance are automatically eligible for Medicare without a waiting period, which pays a portion of the cost of medical care. U.S. military veterans are eligible for financial and medical support through Veterans Affairs . Some private health insurance covers the cost of ALS treatments, equipment, home care, and more.

What lifestyle changes can help following an ALS diagnosis?

ALS affects the body in a number of progressively challenging ways from causing issues with breathing and communication to mobility and mental health. To counter these and other ALS-related changes, daily living requires planning and coping strategies, the use of adaptive devices and technologies, therapeutic treatments, exercise and diet modifications, mental health treatment, making the living space more accessible, and more to maintain health and independence for as long as possible. It’s also important to reach out for help, take all medications as prescribed, talk with a sympathetic person or a therapist, let go of unnecessary tasks and obligations and stay connected with friends and family.

What is voice banking?

Voice banking records samples and creates a customized synthetic version of a person’s own voice to preserve speech. This can be done early after diagnosis to create a stock of spoken words that can be used by communication software, such as text-to-speech generating devices. If a person with ALS loses their ability to speak, the digital version of their voice can be used to communicate with others.

You searched for als | Page 71 of 419

Search results for:

Next steps after an ALS diagnosis

After an ALS diagnosis, some useful next steps include educating yourself, putting together your care and support team, weighing your financial options, and looking at the variety of resources available to you.

May 31, 2023 News by Mary Chapman

This year’s Chicago Walk to Defeat ALS set for Wheaton’s Cantigny Park

On June 3, the Greater Chicago Chapter of the ALS Association will host its 2023 Chicago Walk to Defeat ALS fundraiser, with an aim of supporting patients and families living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The 1.5-mile event will again take place at Cantigny Park in…

May 30, 2023 Columns by Dagmar Munn

How I keep my plates spinning while living with ALS

Every once in a while, I have to stop and declare, “I’m spinning way too many plates!” That happens whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks I’ve set myself up to do while living with ALS. You’ve seen plate spinning, right? It was…

May 30, 2023 by Bionews Staff

Family, mutual respect, and love keep me pushing forward with ALS

Our first holiday since my tracheotomy. My wife ordered these shirts while I was in the ICU. Since then, these shirts have become a part of who we are. We now are selling them on our website. Love. (Photos courtesy of Brian Jeansonne) This is Brian Jeansonne’s story: I’m…

May 30, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS

Gout medication decreases risk of ALS and other diseases: Study

Allopurinol and carvedilol, two medications respectively used to manage gout and high blood pressure, significantly reduce the chances of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease, a new study suggests. “These findings suggest a possible new direction for repurposing or developing medications for neuroprotection,” Brad…

ALS stages and progression timeline

There can be a lot of variation in the order in which ALS symptoms appear and how quickly the disease progresses. However, as ALS advances, patients go through several stages of progression.

Perspective: What I learned in 13 years of ALS caregiving

In the 13 years since her husband, Todd, was diagnosed with ALS, Kristin Neva has learned a few things as his primary caregiver. Every journey is different, she says, but support and help are crucial, as is finding ways to recharge.

May 26, 2023 by Bionews Staff

Thanks to ALS, our family is raising kind and compassionate children

Mary Alice with her husband, Holt. (Photo courtesy of Mary Alice Poling) This is Mary Alice Poling’s story: My name is Mary Alice Poling and my son, Seth, who is 37 years old, has ALS. He has been living with ALS for nine years. If I’m truthful,…

May 26, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD

Locanabio’s investigational therapy shows promise for C9ORF72-associated ALS

Locanabio‘s investigational therapy significantly reduced the buildup of toxic RNA molecules in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient cells and mouse models associated with C9ORF72 mutations, according to new data. These RNA products — intermediate molecules that are produced from DNA as a template for protein production — are…

ALS support: Assistive equipment and adaptations

Assistive equipment and adaptive devices for people with ALS can help make life more manageable and comfortable. These include aids for eating and drinking, getting dressed, bathing, using the toilet, grooming, and for recreation and mobility.